Kate Chopin

(1851-1904) American writer. Kate Chopin became famous for "The Awakening," though she was largely forgotten after her book was banned.

Kate Chopin was born Catherine O'Flaherty on July 12, 1850, in St. Louis, Missouri. Chopin's father was Thomas O'Flaherty, an immigrant Irishmen. Her mother was a French-American, Eliza Faris.

When her father died in 1855, Kate Chopin was raised by her mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.

Kate Chopin died in 1904 with a brain hemorrhage.

Kate Chopin married Oscar Chopin in June 1870. Her first son, Jean, was born in May 1871, with four more children to follow. However, financial problems began to affect the family in 1879, and her husband died in December 1882.

Kate Chopin attended St. Louis Academy of the Sacred Heart until her graduation in 1868.

"The passion that awoke in him that day, when he saw her at the gate, swept along like an avalanche, or like a prairie fire, or like anything that drives headlong over all obstacles."

"A graceful cradle of willow, with all its dainty furbishings, was laid upon the pyre, which had already been fed with the richness of a priceless layette. Then there were silk gowns, and velvet and satin ones added to these; laces, too, and embroideries... for the corbeille had been of rare quality."

"It was still quite light out of doors, but inside with the curtains drawn and the smouldering fire sending out a dim, uncertain glow, the room was full of deep shadows."

"She felt like a chess player who, by the clever handling of his pieces, sees the game taking the course intended. Her eyes were bright and tender with a smile as they glanced up into his; and her lips looked hungry for the kiss which they invited."

"The delicious breath of rain was in the air. In the street below a peddler was crying his wares. The notes of a distant song which some one was singing reached her faintly, and countless sparrows were twittering in the eaves."

"When she abandoned herself a little whispered word escaped her slightly parted lips. She said it over and over under her breath: 'free, free, free!'"

"When the doctors came they said she had died of heart disease--of joy that kills."