Ina Coolbrith (1841-1928)

In 1851, Ina Coolbrith came in her family's wagon from Missouri. Early in her writing career she became friends with Mark Twain, Bret Harte and Joaquin Miller and along with Harte and Charles Stoddard published the Overland Monthly.

In 1873 she was named librarian of the Oakland Free Library and befriended a young, impoverished boy by the name of Jack London. In 1915 she was named Poet Laureate of California. Her works include: California, Songs from the Golden Gate, and Wings of Sunset.