Edward Payson Roe

Edward Payson Roe was born on March 7, 1838, in New Windsor, New York. After serving as a chaplain during the Civil War, he became a pastor in Highland Falls, New York, where he began writing to supplement his income. His first novel, "Barriers Burned Away" (1872), was a bestseller, drawing on his wartime experiences and religious convictions. Roe went on to write numerous novels, including "Driven Back to Eden" (1885), which reflected his interest in rural life and moral uplift. His works were immensely popular in the late 19th century, selling millions of copies and establishing him as a leading figure in American sentimental fiction. Though his literary reputation declined after his death on July 19, 1888, Roe's novels remain significant for their portrayal of post-Civil War American values and the intersection of faith and popular literature.