Susan Bogert Warner

American writer

Also known as: Elizabeth Wetherell

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July 15, 2026

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Susan Bogert Warner was an American writer, best known for her sentimental and moralistic novels. Alongside her sister, Anna Bartlett Warner, she wrote popular works, hymns, and nonfiction. Susan Warner's novel The Wide, Wide World (1851), published under the pseudonym Elizabeth Wetherell, was a significant success, reportedly selling one million copies and being translated into several languages.1

The sisters lived on Constitution Island in the Hudson River and were educated privately. After their father faced financial difficulties, they continued to write prolifically. Susan Warner authored other novels such as Queechy (1852) and The Hills of the Shatemuc (1856), while Anna Warner wrote Dollars and Cents (1852) and hymns like "Jesus Loves Me, This I Know". They also collaborated on several volumes and taught Bible classes for West Point cadets.1

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Susan Bogert Warner and Anna Bartlett Warner
In 1851 Susan published a novel entitled The Wide, Wide World under the pseudonym Elizabeth Wetherell. Sentimental and moralistic, the book proved highly popular; it was widely sold in several translations and was reputedly the first book by an American author to sell one million copies. Susan…
Read More
In 1851 Susan published a novel entitled The Wide, Wide World under the pseudonym Elizabeth Wetherell. Sentimental and moralistic, the book proved highly popular; it was widely sold in several translations and was reputedly the first book by an American author to sell one million copies. Susan…
Read More