Frances Ellen Watkins Harper was an American abolitionist, suffragist, poet, teacher and writer. She was one of the first African-American women to be published in the United States. Harper was born free in Baltimore, Maryland, and had a long career, publishing her first book of poetry at 20-years-old. She published her novel 'Iola Leroy' aged 67 in 1892, making her one of the first Black women to publish a novel.In 1851, while she was living with the family of William Still, a clerk who helped refugee slaves make their way along the Underground Railroad, Harper turned to writing anti-slavery literature. A couple of years later she joined the American Anti-Slavery Society and began her career as a public speaker and political activist.Harper founded, supported, and held positions in several progressive organizations, becoming the superintendent of the Colored Section of the Philadelphia and Pennsylvania Women's Christian Temperance Union. She also helped found the National Association of Colored Women and served as its vice president.Harper died at age 85 in February, 1911, nine years before women gained the right to vote.