Ella Wheeler Wilcox (1850–1919) was an American poet and author, recognized for her uplifting and straightforward verse. Her best-known poem, Solitude, includes the famous line, “Laugh, and the world laughs with you; weep, and you weep alone.” Wilcox’s writing often focused on themes of love, optimism, and spirituality, appealing to a broad audience during her lifetime. A prolific author, she published many poetry and prose collections, establishing herself as a prominent voice of hope and inspiration in American literature.