About Zoe Akins
Zoe Byrd Akins (October 30, 1886 – October 29, 1958) was an American playwright, poet, and author. She won the 1935 Pulitzer Prize for drama for The Old Maid. == Early life == Zoe Byrd Akins was born in Humansville, Missouri, second of three children of Thomas Jasper and Sarah Elizabeth Green Akins. Her family was heavily involved with the Missouri Republican Party, and for several years her father served as the state party chairman. Through her mother, Akins was related to George Washington and Duff Green. Her family moved to St. Louis, Missouri when Akins was 11, due to her father's new job as postmaster. Given her family’s position and economic security, Akins was exposed to the arts, regulating the theatre, and developing an interest early on. She was sent to Monticello Seminary in Godfrey, Illinois for her education, where she received further encouragement and support for her literary and theatrical work through her English teacher Miss Alden. It was at Monticello Seminary that Akins wrote her first play, a parody of a Greek tragedy.
Biography source: Wikipedia. The profile adds birthday-specific historical context from the Celebs Birthday Today editorial database.