Ayres, in her long overdue critical biography of the novelist once referred to as the 'first Southern woman to enter the field of American letters,' shows the importance of Augusta Jane Evans Wilson for her portrait of nineteenth-century America. Her meticulously researched book places Wilson's novels in their historical context, revealing Wilson's legacy as a storyteller and maker of history.

Contents: Preface; Introduction: the scented camellia: Augusta Jane Evans Wilson (1835-1909); 'A tale of the Alamo': Augusta Jane Evans (1835-1849) and Inez; From Marah to Beulah: Augusta Jane Evans (1850-1859) and Beulah; 'Niobe of nations': Augusta Jane Evans (1860-1863) and Macaria; St Edna: Augusta Jane Evans (1864-1866) and St Elmo; 'Until death us do part': Augusta Jane Evans Wilson (1867-1869) and Vashti; 'The barter of tears and smiles' Augusta Jane Evans Wilson (1870-1875) and Infelice; The 'brooding silence': Augusta Jane Evans Wilson (1876-1887) and At the Mercy of Tiberius; 'Venus in blue stockings: Augusta Jane Evans Wilson and intellectualism; Sheredity: Augusta Jane Evans Wilson (1888-1902) and A Speckled Bird; 'J'y suis, j'y reste' Augusta Jane Evans Wilson (1903-1909) and Devota; Bibliography; Index.

Brenda Ayres is Professor of English Literature at Liberty University, USA, and has published widely in Victorian scholarship.