Mary Johnston

Sir Mortimer (Illustrated) Mary Johnston

Mary Johnston (November 21, 1870 - May 9, 1936) was an American novelist and women's rights advocate. The daughter of an American Civil War soldier who became a successful lawyer, Mary Johnston was born in the small town of Buchanan, Virginia. A small and frail girl, she was educated at home by family and tutors. She grew up with a love of books and was financially independent enough to devote herself to writing. Johnston wrote historical books and novels that often combined romance with history. . Sir Mortimer was Johnston's third book to "go gold." It was the fifth bestselling book of 1905, following the previous successes of Audrey (No. 5 in 1902) and To Have and to Hold (No. 1 in 1900).