Willa Cather, one of the most recognized American authors of the 20th century, peacefully passed away on April 24th, 1947 at the age of 73. Born in Virginia in 1873, Cather’s family moved to Nebraska when she was a young girl, an experience that heavily influenced much of her later work. She graduated from the University of Nebraska in 1891 and began teaching in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania shortly thereafter. Her first novel, Alexander’s Bridge, was published in 1912. Cather is best remembered for her novels O Pioneers!, My Ántonia and Death Comes for the Archbishop. Her novels often touched on themes of social and economic struggles of life on the American frontier. She also wrote various short stories and poems, contributing to a body of work that was recognized by numerous literary prizes, including the 1922 Pulitzer Prize for One of Ours. Perhaps more importantly, Cather left behind a valuable literary legacy that provided future generations of authors with a wealth of insight into the world of the late 19th century. Her work will live on as the inspiration of many.