West, Jessamyn (1902-1984), was an American author. Her first and most famous book is The Friendly Persuasion (1945). In a series of sketches, it describes the rural life of a Quaker family in the mid-1800’s.
West was a Quaker, and Quaker ideals of brotherhood can be found throughout her work. Her first novel, The Witch Diggers (1951), is a symbolic story set on a poor farm in southern Indiana. Except for Me and Thee (1969) is a novel about characters who appeared in The Friendly Persuasion. Collected Stories of Jessamyn West was published in 1986, after her death. West also wrote screenplays, including one for the film Friendly Persuasion (1956). She was born on July 18, 1902, in Jennings County, Indiana. She died on Feb. 23, 1984.
