Mary Johnston

Mary Johnston (1870-1936) was a popular early 20th century American author, whose highly imaginative and well-crafted stories helped to establish her as a major contributor to serious literature in her country. Although she published nearly two dozen novels, which sold more than a million copies, Johnston maintained a relatively quiet life. Her family was of strong Virginia stock, of English and Scotch-Irish background. Johnston received much of her inspiration and ideas from the books contained in a library her father had constructed at their home, which contained many historical works. Her father was a capable and influential man, being at various times Confederate major, lawyer, state legislator, and president of the Georgia Pacific Railroad. Although Johnston was born into this stimulating and enriching environment, starting in childhood she began to suffer from poor health. However, being the eldest child, she had to nonetheless take charge, at age 20, of the household after her mother died. After her father's death, Johnston built a home called Three Hills, near Warm Springs, Virginia. Apart from trips to New York and Europe, Virginia is where she stayed throughout most of her life.

Books by Mary Johnston Published in a New Edition:

1492: Admiral of the Ocean-Sea

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