Fannie Hurst (October 18, 1889 – February 23, 1968) was an American novelist. Although her books are not well remembered today, during her lifetime some of her more famous novels were Stardust (1919), Lummox (1923), A President is Born (1927), Back Street (1931), and Imitation of Life (1933). Hurst is now best known for the screen adaptations of her works, such as the 1934 film Imitation of Life and the 1959 remake, based on her novel, which examined race relations.
American playwright and author of short stories, sentimental novels and Hollywood screenplays. She graduated with a BA from Washington University in 1909. Hurst was a noted philanthropist and leader in civic affairs, chairman of the National Housing Commission (1936-1937), a member of the National Committee to The Works Progress Administration (1940-1941), and, later, a delegate to the World Health Organization Assembly (1952). She was also one of the leading feminists of her day, member of the intellectual group Heterodoxy in Greenwich Village.
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Popular "women's" author of the first half of the 20th century.