Mrs. Henry Wood

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Born Ellen Wood, Mrs. Henry Wood (1814–1887) was an English novelist who specialized in sensation novels. Wood was born with a deforming spinal curvature, and although it lasted throughout her life, it did not affect her studies of literature. In 1836, she married Henry Wood, but when he left the family (for reasons unknown), Wood wrote short stories for numerous periodicals to support her children. She followed this with her first novel, Danesbury House, and later achieved critical acclaim with East Lynne. Wood purchased and ran the controversial periodical Argosy, which she edited until her passing.