Alice Caldwell Hegan Rice was an American novelist recognized for her warm, humorous, and compassionate portrayals of everyday life. She was born on January 11, 1870, in Shelbyville, Kentucky, to Samuel Hegan and Mary Caldwell Hegan. Raised in Louisville, she developed a keen awareness of social conditions, which later shaped her literary work. Her most celebrated novel, Mrs. Wiggs of the Cabbage Patch (1901), brought her international fame and was adapted into a successful play and several films. The story's message of optimism and charity reflected her lifelong interest in social welfare, inspired by her volunteer work among impoverished communities. In 1902, she married poet and dramatist Cale Young Rice, forming a literary partnership that lasted until their deaths. Rice authored numerous novels and short stories that explored human kindness, perseverance, and moral values, making her a beloved voice in early 20th-century American fiction. She continued writing and engaging in civic work until her death on February 10, 1942, in Louisville, Kentucky, leaving behind a legacy of empathy and literary grace.
