American writer Lucy Ellen Guernsey was born in Rochester, New York, on August 12, 1826, and died on November 3, 1899. Despite never having children of her own, she was a fervent supporter of moral development and early education in children. She produced nearly 60 novels during her most prolific years (1855 85), the majority of which were picked up by the American Sunday School Union for publication. She was involved in the founding of the Home for Aged Women and organized the first sewing school for children from working-class families. She was a prominent part of the Rochester community. In addition to becoming the president of the Christ Church Missionary Society (1881 85), she taught an adult biblical class for Sunday School and wrote the prominent religious journal The Parish Visitor. James T. and Electra Guernsey were the parents of Lucy and her sister Clara. Her father, James, was a philanthropist and businessman from the Rochester area who contributed to the moral and cultural development of his western New York neighborhood.