Sophie Kerr was a prolific American writer known for her short stories, articles, and novels. Born in Denton, Maryland, she drew inspiration from the culture and life of the Eastern Shore. Throughout her career, she published over 23 novels and more than 500 short stories, often appearing in popular magazines. She is most famously remembered for her bequest to Washington College, which established the Sophie Kerr Prize, the nation's largest undergraduate literary award.