Harriette Newell Woods Baker, widely known by her pen name Mrs. Madeline Leslie, was a prolific nineteenth-century American author and editor. Born in 1815, Baker began her literary career around the age of thirty. She initially focused her writing efforts on novels, establishing herself within the literary landscape before shifting her focus to popular religious and moral literature approximately fifteen years later.
Writing primarily for children and young adults, Baker was incredibly industrious, publishing around 200 moral and religious tales under her "Mrs. Madeline Leslie" pseudonym. She also published works under her own name, her initials, and the pen name "Aunt Hattie." Her stories were designed to instruct and inspire young readers, reflecting the strong moral and religious values of her era.
Baker's most enduring success was her book Tim, the Scissors Grinder, which achieved remarkable commercial success, selling half a million copies and receiving translations into multiple languages. She remained a dedicated writer throughout her life, continuing to produce literature up until her death in April 1893.
