Edna Ferber (1885-1968) was an American novelist, short story writer and playwright. Revered during her lifetime as one of the most talented and prolific writers of her era, many of Ferber’s best-known works have been adapted numerous times for the stage and screen.Born in Kalamazoo, Michigan to Jewish-American parents (her father was a Hungarian emigre), Ferber’s family was forced to move a great deal during her childhood and she often faced anti-semitic ridicule from both adults and children while she was still a child. Ultimately, Ferber’s parents settled in Appleton, Wisconsin where she graduated high school and attended (briefly) Lawrence University.Ferber initially wanted to become a performer, but she stumbled instead into a career in journalism. A bout of anemia forced her to stay close to home and her isolation led Ferber to begin writing short fiction and getting published in a number of magazines.Her success in short story writing eventually led to Ferber publishing both novels and short story collections and her fame began to grow. In 1925, she won the Pulitzer Prize for the book ‘So Big’ (which was adapted to the screen in 1953). Her subsequent novels, which included ‘Cimarron, ‘ ‘Show Boat’ and ‘Giant’ were even more successful and also became highly popular stage and screen adaptations.Ferber was a member of the legendary Algonquin Round Table – along with Dorothy Parker, George S. Kaufman, Harpo Marx and Ferber’s personal nemesis, Alexander Woolcott. She and Kaufman would eventually collaborate on a number of plays, including the wildly successful shows The Royal Family, Dinner at Eight and Stage Door.Edna Ferber – easily one of the 20th centuries most talented and admired writers – died of stomach cancer in New York City at the age of 82.