Susanna Louise Patteson (1853–1922) was an American author, educator, and stenographer whose literary career was defined by her dedication to animal welfare and nature education. Active during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, Patteson utilized her writing to advocate for the humane treatment of animals, particularly domestic pets and local wildlife. Her work stood out for its compassionate approach to teaching children about the natural world. Among her most notable publications is Pussy Meow: The Autobiography of a Cat, a narrative written from a feline perspective to foster empathy in young readers. She continued this thematic focus with Letters from Pussycatville and How to Have Bird Neighbors, books that combined storytelling with practical advice on animal care. Uniquely for her time, Patteson illustrated her books using her own photographs, adding a personal and realistic dimension to her educational messages. In addition to her literary and educational pursuits, she was a practical activist who helped organize a group to assist vagrant cats, and she documented her early life in the book When I was a Girl in Switzerland.
