Gene Stratton-Porter (August 17, 1863 - December 6, 1924) was an American author, amateur naturalist, wildlife photographer, and one of the earliest women to form a movie studio and production company. She used her position and income as a well-known author to support conservation of Limberlost Swamp and other wetlands in the state of Indiana.
Her novel Freckles is the beautifully written story of an orphaned boy who gets a job as a timber guard in Limberlost. He develops an interest in the wildlife of the swamp and in natural history, and falls in love with the beautiful Swamp Angel. Freckles is a tale about class differences and the challenges faced by the 'low-born' who believe they can rise above that prejudice. Captivating!