Sylvia Plath (October 27, 1932 – February 11, 1963) was an American poet, novelist, children's author, and short story author. Known primarily for her poetry, Plath also wrote a semi-autobiographical novel, The Bell Jar, under the pseudonym Victoria Lucas.

Plath took her own life after she completely sealed the rooms between herself and her sleeping children with "wet towels and cloths."[12] Plath then placed her head in the oven while the gas was turned on. The next day an inquiry ruled that her death was a suicide.