Baldwin, Faith (1893–1978)

Popular American novelist from the 1920s to the 1940s. Born in New Rochelle, New York, on October 1, 1893; died in Norwalk, Connecticut, on March 18, 1978; daughter of Stephen C. Baldwin (a well-known trial lawyer) and Edith Hervey (Finch) Baldwin; educated in Brooklyn, in private schools, and in Dresden, Germany, 1914–16; married Hugh H. Cuthrell, in 1920 (died 1953); children: two boys, Hugh and Stephen, and two girls, Hervey and Ann.

A notable writer of light fiction, Faith Baldwin grew up in Brooklyn, New York, and Dresden, Germany, but spent her later years on a farm in Connecticut. Known as a "circulating library" novelist because of her popularity, she began her literary career as a poet, publishing her first work in 1911. She was the author of over 60 novels; one book of poetry, Signposts (1924); children's books; and numerous short stories, serials, and articles for popular magazines. Among her novels are Mavis of Green Hill (1921), Alimony (1928), Office Wife (1930), Week-end Marriage (1932), Medical Center (1940), Washington, D.C. (1943), You Can't Escape (1943), Woman on Her Way (1946), Golden Shoestring (1949), Whole Armor (1951), The Juniper Tree (1952), and American Family (1935) which details her family history. Baldwin, who had once longed to be an actress, also wrote for the screen; her film credits include: The Moon's Our Home (1936), Men Are Such Fools (1937), Apartment for Peggy (1950), and Queen for a Day (1951).