Laura Ingalls Wilder
Laura Ingalls Wilder was born on February 7, 1867. She originated in Wisconsin, but taught in South Dakota for a large span of her life. In 1932, she published her first book, “Little House in the Big Woods,” starting a large and famous series. Wilder wrote the last of her series in 1943. She later died on a farm in Missouri on February 10, 1957, at the age of 90 years old.
Early Life
Wilder was born to Charles and Caroline outside of Pepin, Wisconsin in their log cabin. Wilder would later reference this cabin in her first book. Her family moved to Kansas when she was still at a young age, setting the scene for “The Little House on The Prairie.” Wilder described her childhood as "full of sunshine and shadow." Her family, being poor pioneers, moved frequently from one town to the next. They settled down for a while in Walnut Grove, Minnesota until a poor season of crops forced them to relocate. In 1879 they ended up moving once more and settled down in DeSmet, South Dakota.
Schooling and Career
Due to their unstable past, the Wilder children mainly taught themselves but occasionally stopped by schools in local towns whenever they could. Surprisingly, Laura eventually became a teacher. The decision was primarily based on financial reasons. Her family was in desperate need of money because her sister was at a special school for the blind. At the young age of 15, she got her first teaching job in a small school house. While she was teaching, Wilder’s family would send a friend, Almanzo Wilder home on the weekends.
Family
Because of all the time they spent together, Laura and Almanzo fell in love. The two got married and afterward Laura quit teaching to raise her family. Laura gave birth to her daughter, Rose, and a Son who tragically died soon after his birth. Unfortunately, Almanzo got very sick and became partially paralyzed. To add onto the problems, their home burnt down a year later. Their life after this consisted of moving from farm to farm raising livestock and crops.
Writing Career
Wilder’s daughter grew up and convinced her mom to write about her childhood. In the early 1920s, Laura tried to write an autobiography and was unanimously rejected by the publishers. Wilder, wanting to strive to be successful, rewrote the story numerous times including rewriting it from a 3rd person perspective. Her books eventually went on to become a huge success.
Later Years
After Almanzo’s death, Laura stayed at home and wrote more. On February 10, 1957, she died on a farm in Missouri. Rose went through many of her mother’s works and edited and published them for their fans. A television show was eventually created which generated more interest in the books giving many people the opportunity to enjoy her stories.
Laura Ingalls Wilder was born on February 7, 1867. She originated in Wisconsin, but taught in South Dakota for a large span of her life. In 1932, she published her first book, “Little House in the Big Woods,” starting a large and famous series. Wilder wrote the last of her series in 1943. She later died on a farm in Missouri on February 10, 1957, at the age of 90 years old.
Early Life
Wilder was born to Charles and Caroline outside of Pepin, Wisconsin in their log cabin. Wilder would later reference this cabin in her first book. Her family moved to Kansas when she was still at a young age, setting the scene for “The Little House on The Prairie.” Wilder described her childhood as "full of sunshine and shadow." Her family, being poor pioneers, moved frequently from one town to the next. They settled down for a while in Walnut Grove, Minnesota until a poor season of crops forced them to relocate. In 1879 they ended up moving once more and settled down in DeSmet, South Dakota.
Schooling and Career
Due to their unstable past, the Wilder children mainly taught themselves but occasionally stopped by schools in local towns whenever they could. Surprisingly, Laura eventually became a teacher. The decision was primarily based on financial reasons. Her family was in desperate need of money because her sister was at a special school for the blind. At the young age of 15, she got her first teaching job in a small school house. While she was teaching, Wilder’s family would send a friend, Almanzo Wilder home on the weekends.
Family
Because of all the time they spent together, Laura and Almanzo fell in love. The two got married and afterward Laura quit teaching to raise her family. Laura gave birth to her daughter, Rose, and a Son who tragically died soon after his birth. Unfortunately, Almanzo got very sick and became partially paralyzed. To add onto the problems, their home burnt down a year later. Their life after this consisted of moving from farm to farm raising livestock and crops.
Writing Career
Wilder’s daughter grew up and convinced her mom to write about her childhood. In the early 1920s, Laura tried to write an autobiography and was unanimously rejected by the publishers. Wilder, wanting to strive to be successful, rewrote the story numerous times including rewriting it from a 3rd person perspective. Her books eventually went on to become a huge success.
Later Years
After Almanzo’s death, Laura stayed at home and wrote more. On February 10, 1957, she died on a farm in Missouri. Rose went through many of her mother’s works and edited and published them for their fans. A television show was eventually created which generated more interest in the books giving many people the opportunity to enjoy her stories.