Ellen Wood, often writing as Mrs. Henry Wood, was a prominent English novelist of the Victorian era, best known for her sensational 1861 novel, East Lynne. Her works were masterfully plotted, often falling into the 'sensation novel' genre, which captivated a massive readership with themes of crime, adultery, and mystery. Beyond her novels, she also owned and edited the popular monthly magazine Argosy for many years. Wood's prolific output and commercial success made her one of the most widely read authors of her time, leaving a lasting mark on 19th-century popular fiction.