Edith Wharton, n├йe Edith Newbold Jones (1862тАУ1937), was an American novelist, short story writer, and designer acclaimed for her keen social insights and psychological depth. Born into a wealthy New York family, Wharton was educated privately and began writing early, though her first major publication did not appear until after she turned forty. Often associated with the Gilded Age in American history, her work dissected the upper-class society to which she belonged. Wharton's narrative style is characterized by her incisive character studies and her exploration of the mores and moral dilemmas of her time. Wharton's prolific career encompassed over forty books, including 'Ethan Frome', 'The House of Mirth', and the Pulitzer Prize-winning 'The Age of Innocence'. In 'The Custom of the Country', Wharton examines the ambitious Undine Spragg, a character emblematic of Wharton's gift for social satire and incisive portrayals of the nouveau riche. Through her writing, Wharton broke new ground in American literature, particularly with her focus on the interior lives of women. Her work earned her the respect of peers and literary critics, cementing her place as a central figure in the canon of American literature. Wharton was the first woman to receive an honorary Doctorate of Letters from Yale University and was a full member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters.