Barbara Newhall Follett - Icon Profile | Alexandria
Barbara Newhall Follett (1914–1939?) was an American literary prodigy and author whose extraordinary life and mysterious disappearance have become emblematic of both the promise and perils of early genius. Known as the "faraway princess" of American literature, she published her first novel at age twelve and vanished without a trace at twenty-five, leaving behind a legacy that continues to intrigue scholars and readers alike.
Born in Hanover, New Hampshire, Follett began writing at the age of four on her father's Corona typewriter. Her first novel, "The House Without Windows" (1927), written when she was twelve and published to critical acclaim by Knopf, demonstrated remarkable literary sophistication and a profound connection to nature. Her second book, "The Voyage of the Norman D." (1928), drew from her sailing experiences and further established her as a unique voice in American literature.
Follett's early life was marked by both privilege and upheaval. Her father, Wilson Follett, a literary editor and scholar, abandoned the family in 1928, devastating young Barbara and precipitating a series of financial and emotional struggles. Despite these challenges, she continued writing and worked as a secretary in various cities. She married in 1934 to Nickerson Rogers, but the marriage proved turbulent. On December 7, 1939, following an argument with her husband, Follett left their apartment in Brookline, Massachusetts, with thirty dollars in her pocket and was never seen again.
The mystery of Follett's disappearance remains unsolved, lending a haunting quality to her literary legacy. Her work, particularly her nature writing and psychological insights, has experienced renewed interest in recent decades, with scholars noting her prescient environmental awareness and unique perspective on childhood independence. The phrase "disappeared without a trace" takes on special poignancy in Follett's case, as she seems to have vanished into the very kind of wilderness she so eloquently described in her writings. Her story continues to raise questions about prodigy, gender expectations in early 20th-century America, and the complex relationship between artistic genius and personal tragedy. Modern readers find in Follett's work and life a compelling meditation on creativity, freedom, and the sometimes devastating cost of being extraordinary in an ordinary world.