Date of Birth: January 24, 1862
Zodiac Sign: Aquarius
Date of Death: August 11, 1937
Biography
Edith Wharton, born Edith Newbold Jones, was an American novelist, short story writer, and designer. She was born into a wealthy New York family on January 24, 1862. Wharton is best known for her novels exploring the lives and morals of the American aristocracy, often focusing on the contrast between old money and new money. Some of her most famous works include “The Age of Innocence,” “Ethan Frome,” and “The House of Mirth.” Wharton’s keen observations and elegant prose won her the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1921 for “The Age of Innocence,” making her the first woman to receive the honor. Over her career, she authored more than 40 books, including novels, short stories, and travelogues. She spent much of her later life in France, where she was actively involved in humanitarian efforts during World War I, for which she was awarded the French Legion of Honor. Wharton died on August 11, 1937, in Saint-Brice-sous-Forêt, France.
5 Interesting Facts about Edith Wharton
1. Edith Wharton was the first woman to win the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, which she received in 1921 for “The Age of Innocence.”
2. She was a close friend and confidante of the American writer Henry James.
3. Wharton was a talented designer and was known for her contributions to landscape architecture and interior design.
4. During World War I, she organized relief efforts for refugees and the wounded in France, earning her the French Legion of Honor.
5. Wharton was an avid traveler and spent much of her life living abroad, particularly in France and Italy.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Edith Wharton
1. “There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it.”
2. “The only way not to think about money is to have a great deal of it.”
3. “Life is the only real counselor; wisdom unfiltered through personal experience does not become a part of the moral tissue.”
4. “If only we’d stop trying to be happy we could have a pretty good time.”
5. “Beware of monotony; it’s the mother of all the deadly sins.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
At the height of her career, Edith Wharton’s net worth was estimated to be around $10 million in today’s dollars.
Children
Edith Wharton did not have any children.
Relevant Links
1. [Edith Wharton on Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edith_Wharton
2. [Edith Wharton Society](http://edithwhartonsociety.org/
3. [The Mount, Edith Wharton’s Home](https://www.edithwharton.org/
4. [Pulitzer Prize Winners](https://www.pulitzer.org/winners/edith-wharton
5. [Biography on Biography.com](https://www.biography.com/writer/edith-wharton
