Myrtle Reed, born on September 27, 1874, was an American author, poet, and journalist whose career spanned the turn of the twentieth century. Throughout her life, Reed was recognized not only for her diverse literary contributions but also for her active role as a philanthropist. Her multifaceted career allowed her to engage with various aspects of writing, from creative poetry to journalistic endeavors, establishing her as a prominent figure in the American literary landscape of her era.
As a writer, Reed achieved considerable commercial success, authoring a number of bestselling works that captured the interest of a wide reading public. In addition to her fiction and poetry, she made a distinct mark in the domestic arts by publishing a series of cookbooks. These culinary guides were released under the pen name Olive Green, allowing her to build a successful parallel career in instructional writing before her death on August 17, 1911.
