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Kate Chopin
Kate Chopin, an American author of short stories and novels, was a predecessor of the 20th century feminist authors. She was born Catherine (Kate) O'Flaherty on February 8, 1850, to parents Thomas and Eliza O'Flaherty. Chopin's father came from Ireland, but her mother, who originated in St. Louis, had a French background. Kate, therefore, grew up bilingual and bicultural, speaking both English and French. This diversity is noticeable in Chopin's writings.
As a child, Chopin attended the St. Louis Academy of the Sacred Heart. Chopin's father, a successful businessman, was a great influence in Chopin's life and encouraged her interests. Sadly, Chopin's father died in a train accident when she was only five years old.
Because of her father's death, Chopin was raised by three strong women: her mother, her grandmother, and her great-grandmother. During her teenage years, the Civil War was taking place. Chopin's family lived in St. Louis where those in the area supported the North, yet her family supported the South. Her family even had slaves when she was growing up. In 1863 Chopin's great-grandmother died, and a month later her half brother, who was a Confederate soldier, died of typhoid fever after he had been captured by Union soldiers.
Chopin continued school at the St. Louis Academy of the Sacred Heart where she eventually graduated at age eighteen. It was at the Academy where a nun named Madam (Mary Philomena) O'Meara first encouraged her to write. Teachers and classmates recognized Kate's skills. After graduating, Kate made her social debut, but it really wasn't what she wanted. She didn't like parties and balls.
