Louisa May Alcott (November 29, 1832 – March 6, 1888) was an American novelist, short story writer and poet best known as the author of the novel Little Women (1868) and its sequels Little Men (1871) and Jo's Boys (1886). Raised in New England, she grew up with three sisters, her most popular novel Little Women is loosely based on her childhood experiences with her sisters. The novel has been adapted many times into film, stage, and television. Troubled by poverty from an early age, she vowed to do something to change the financial condition of her family, working as a teacher, seamstress, governess, or household servant, for many years Louisa did any work she could find. Writing was an early passion and an outlet for her, and she had a vivid imagination. Her writing career began with short stories and poetry, and she sometimes used the pen name A. M. Barnard to write novels for young adults that focused on spies and revenge. Alcott was a lifelong activist, an abolitionist and feminist, she remained unmarried throughout her life and was active in many reform movements as temperance and women's suffrage. She died from a stroke in 1888. In all, she published over 30 books and collections of stories.