Carolyn Wells

Carolyn Wells (June 18, 1862 - March 26, 1942) was an American mystery author, poet, humorist, and children's writer. Over her career, she authored more than 170 books, spanning genres including detective fiction, poetry, humor, and young adult literature. Known for her prolific output, Wells was a prominent figure in early 20th-century American literature, particularly in the mystery genre, where she created the long-running Fleming Stone series. Despite her contemporary success, her work fell into obscurity after her death, a phenomenon explored in recent biographies. She grew up in a middle-class family and demonstrated remarkable literacy from a young age, developing an early passion for reading, puzzles, and word games. Her first mystery, The Clue, introduced detective Fleming Stone and was included on the Haycraft-Queen Cornerstone list of essential mysteries.

She died on March 26, 1942, at the Flower Fifth Avenue Hospital in New York City. She suffered from a serious heart ailment in her later years. In 2025, the Library of Congress hosted a program on women book collectors featuring Wells and her Whitman collection.