Edna Ferber

Edna Ferber (1885–1968) was an American novelist, short-story writer, and playwright. Born in Kalamazoo, Michigan, she became a prominent literary figure in the United States. In 1925, Ferber was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Novel for her book 'So Big'; this award category was later renamed the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction. This achievement established her as the first Jewish woman to receive the honor. Chronologies of Jewish Pulitzer recipients identify Ferber as the earliest winner in the Novel or Fiction category. Her Jewish identity, upbringing, and self-articulation are documented in sources such as the Posen Library of Jewish Culture and Civilization. Ferber passed away in New York City in 1968.