Edith Nesbit was born on August 15, 1858, in London, England. ¹⁾

She was one of six children, and her family struggled financially, leading to a somewhat unstable upbringing. ²⁾

As a child, Nesbit was an avid reader, and she developed a love for books that would shape her career as a writer. ³⁾

Nesbit married Hubert Bland in 1880 and had five children with him. Their marriage was unconventional, as Bland had several extramarital affairs and fathered two children with other women. ⁴⁾

Nesbit's first published work was a collection of poetry called “Lays and Legends” in 1886. ⁵⁾

She went on to write over 60 books, including novels, short stories, and poetry collections. ⁶⁾

Nesbit is best known for her children's books, including “Five Children and It,” “The Phoenix and the Carpet,” and “The Railway Children.” ⁷⁾

Her books were popular with both children and adults and were praised for their humor, adventure, and imaginative storytelling. ⁸⁾

Nesbit was a socialist and a feminist, and her political beliefs often influenced her writing. Many of her books contain themes of social justice and equality. ⁹⁾

Nesbit was a founding member of the Fabian Society, a socialist organization that played a significant role in British politics in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. ¹⁰⁾

Nesbit's writing also had a significant influence on other authors, including C.S. Lewis, J.K. Rowling, and Neil Gaiman. ¹¹⁾

In addition to her writing, Nesbit was also an accomplished speaker and lecturer, and she gave many talks on topics such as socialism and women's suffrage. ¹²⁾

Nesbit's personal life was marked by tragedy. Two of her children died in infancy, and her son Fabian died at the age of 15 from complications related to surgery. ¹³⁾

Nesbit was diagnosed with lung cancer in 1924 and died on May 4, 1924, at the age of 65. ¹⁴⁾

Despite her success as a writer, Nesbit struggled with financial difficulties throughout her life, and she often had to rely on the support of friends and family to make ends meet. ¹⁵⁾