Frances E.W. Harper, born September 24, 1825, was an African-American abolitionist, suffragist, poet and author.  In 1845, Harper published her first collection of poetry, titled Forest Leaves, and Poems of Miscellaneous Subjects- which featured one of her most famous works, Bury Me in a Free Land. She also became an in-demand lecturer on behalf of the abolitionist movement, appearing with the likes of Frederick Douglass, William Garrison, Lucretia Mott and Lucy Stone.

Harper published her most famous novel Iola Leroy in 1892. Four years later, she cofounded the National Association of Colored Women with Ida Wells-Barnett, Harriet Tubman and several others. The organization sought to improve the lives and advance the rights of African-American women. (via biography.com)