Ben Ames Williams (1889-1953) was a prominent American novelist and short story writer, widely recognized for his contributions to magazine fiction and novels in the first half of the twentieth century. Williams was especially noted for his regular submissions to the Saturday Evening Post, along with other periodicals, where he published over 400 short stories, essays, and serialized novels. His literary oeuvre spans more than thirty books, including genres like adventures, mysteries, and historical fiction. Notably, Williams set many of his stories in rural Maine, creating a vivid fictional setting in places like the "Fraternity Village," where he fused factual research with creative storytelling. As observed by Charles C. Baldwin, Williams was esteemed as a realistic storyteller and a skilled craftsman of the short story form. His historical novel House Divided, detailing the impact of the Civil War on a Southern family, stands out as a significant achievement.

Born in Macon, Mississippi, Williams grew up in Ohio and honed his literary skills during his educational journey through Dartmouth College, before commencing a career in journalism. He initially faced numerous rejections but eventually gained success with his story "The Wings of Lias" in Smith's Magazine. His dedication to fiction writing allowed him to transition full-time to this pursuit by 1916. Williams had a summer home in Searsmont, Maine, which inspired his stories set in "Fraternity Village." His novel Splendor, marking his first unserialized work, was published in 1927. Over the years, he continued to produce best-selling novels until his death in 1953.

Williams's major works include adventure and mystery novels such as The Silver Forest and The Dreadful Night, as noted by Walter Jerrold. His realistic short stories and historical novels, like House Divided and Come Spring, are particularly distinguished. His story "They Grind Exceedingly Small" won the O. Henry Memorial Award, highlighting his prowess in the short story genre. Despite his posthumous decline in critical acclaim, as discussed by Joseph B. Yokelson, Williams's works are remembered for their realism, narrative detail, and ironic undertones, rooted in the style of writers like Guy de Maupassant and O. Henry.