Miriam Coles Harris was an American novelist active during the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Born on Long Island, New York, in 1834, she developed a literary career characterized by a diverse output that included several novels, a collection of children's stories, and two devotional books. Her writing reflected the literary landscape of her era, though she preferred to let her work speak for itself rather than seek the spotlight.\n\nHarris was notably private and actively shunned publicity throughout her life. This desire for anonymity led her to publish her debut novel anonymously. However, the move backfired, sparking a major literary furore as multiple impostors stepped forward to claim authorship of the popular work. The resulting controversy brought Harris far more public attention than she had ever anticipated or desired. She spent her later years abroad and passed away in Pau, France, in 1925.
