Edith Wharton, born Edith Newbold Jones on January 24, 1862, in New York City, emerged as a preeminent figure in American literature during the turn of the twentieth century. Wharton, coming from a wealthy and socially connected family, utilized her experiences to critique the aristocratic circles of the Gilded Age and the early modern period with wit and insight. Her literary style is characterized by its incisive exploration of social customs, its piercing psychological acuity, and its often subtle deployment of irony. The publication of 'The Glimpses of the Moon' (1922) further solidifies her reputation as an author who artfully illuminates the lives and moral dilemmas of her characters, particularly within the constraints of the socially elite. Wharton's other prolific works include 'The House of Mirth' (1905) and the Pulitzer Prize-winning 'The Age of Innocence' (1920), both of which cemented her as a master of the American novel. Hers is a literature of thoughtful social critique, focusing on the constraints of society upon the individual and the complexities of personal freedom and responsibility. Wharton's works not only reflect the mores of her time but continue to offer rich analysis of human behavior and relationships that resonate with readers today. She died on August 11, 1937, in Saint-Brice-sous-Forêt, France, but her legacy endures through her extensive and insightful body of work.