Mary Hunter Austin was an American writer, naturalist, and feminist best known for her literary works about the American Southwest. Born in Carlinville, Illinois, she graduated from Blackburn College before moving to California with her family in 1888. Fascinated by the arid landscapes and diverse cultures of the region, she immersed herself in the study of Native American traditions, desert ecology, and pioneer life. Her deep appreciation for the land and its inhabitants shaped her literary career, making her a pioneering voice in environmental writing and regional literature.

Her most famous book, The Land of Little Rain (1903), is a collection of essays that vividly depict the landscapes, flora, fauna, and people of the California desert. Austin’s lyrical and poetic prose captured the beauty and harshness of the environment while highlighting the resilience of those who lived there, including Native American communities. Throughout her career, she wrote numerous essays, plays, and novels, often exploring themes of feminism, mysticism, and the relationship between humans and nature. Her work was influenced by transcendentalism, and she was an advocate for Indigenous rights, women's independence, and conservation.

Later in life, Austin traveled extensively, spending time in Europe and New Mexico, where she was involved in the artistic and literary circles of Santa Fe and Taos. She collaborated with writers and intellectuals such as Willa Cather and was deeply engaged with the cultural preservation of Native American traditions. Austin's legacy endures as a trailblazer in nature writing and feminist thought, with The Land of Little Rain remaining a classic of environmental literature. She died in Santa Fe, New Mexico, in 1934, leaving behind a body of work that continues to inspire readers and environmentalists alike.