Harriet Beecher Stowe was an American writer and abolitionist born on June 14, 1811, in Litchfield, Connecticut. She is best known for her novel "Uncle Tom's Cabin," which became one of the most influential and widely read works of fiction in the 19th century. Stowe was a strong advocate for the abolition of slavery and her writing played a significant role in shaping public opinion about the issue. She also wrote several other books, including "Dred: A Tale of the Great Dismal Swamp" and "The Minister's Wooing." Stowe died on July 1, 1896, in Hartford, Connecticut, at the age of 85. Her contributions to American literature and the abolitionist movement continue to be celebrated and recognized today.