Anna Sewell (1820–1878) was a British writer whose only novel, Black Beauty, became a universal classic of children's literature and a powerful plea against animal cruelty. Born in Great Yarmouth, England, she lived most of her life with mobility issues, which led her to rely on horse-drawn carriages and develop a deep empathy for horses. Published just months before her death, Black Beauty had a lasting impact on social awareness in her time.