Louisa May Alcott was born on November 29, 1832 in Germantown, Pennsylvania. Together with her siblings, she grew up in poor circumstances. She later earned her living as a teacher, seamstress and housekeeper, among other things. However, her enthusiasm for writing began at an early age, and she sometimes published under a pseudonym (A. M. Barnard). "Little Women", which is based on her own childhood experiences, is one of the most successful books for young people in the English-speaking world. It was translated into 27 languages and brought her worldwide fame. She died in Massachusetts on March 6, 1888.