People Smith, Betty, 1896-1972

Betty Smith

Betty Smith (born Elisabeth Lillian Wehner; December 15, 1896 – January 17, 1972) was an American author. She is best known for her 1943 bestselling book A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. Smith was born Elisabeth Lillian Wehner on December 15, 1896 in the Williamsburg section of Brooklyn, New York to first-generation German-Americans John C. Wehner, a waiter, and Katherine (or Catherine) Hummel. She had a younger brother, William, and a younger sister, Regina. At the time of her birth the family was living at 207 Ewen Street (now Manhattan Avenue). When she was four, they were living at 227 Stagg Street, and would move several times to various tenements on Montrose Avenue and Hopkins Street before settling in a tenement on the top floor of 702 Grand Street. It was the Grand Street tenement that served as the setting for A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. Read more at Wikipedia...

Born: 1896, Brooklyn
Died: 1972, Shelton

Alternate Names: Elisabeth Lillian Wehner
Occupation(s): writer, novelist, playwright, screenwriter, children's writer
Associated Place(s): Fort Monroe (Va.), United States, North Carolina, New York (State)--Brooklyn (New York), Brooklyn (New York, N.Y.)

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