Cynthia Roberts Gorton, writing under the pen name Ida Glenwood, was a nineteenth-century American poet and author. Born on February 27, 1826, Gorton was blind, yet she developed a prolific creative practice. Her writing process was notably distinct: she wrote with such rapid, unconscious speed that she ultimately formed almost an entirely new alphabet to capture her thoughts.
Throughout her literary career, Gorton authored a variety of works, including novels, serials, stories, and poetry. Beyond her written contributions, she was a committed social advocate, dedicating twenty years of her life to lecturing on behalf of the temperance movement. Gorton passed away on August 10, 1894, leaving behind a unique legacy as a blind writer and reformer.
