This is a biography of Charlotte Perkins Gilman (1860-1935): Beecher-descendent, zealous reformer, exhilarating lecturer, prolific writer, scandalous divorcee, "unnatural mother," international celebrity, and life-long controversialist. It offers the definitive account of this controversial writer and activist's long and eventful life. She launched her career as a lecturer, author, and reformer with the story for which she is best-known today, "The Yellow Wallpaper."--[book cover].