Pansy was the pen name of Isabella Macdonald Alden (1841–1930), an American author known for her Christian fiction and religious stories. She chose the name Pansy because her publisher wanted a short, memorable pen name. Alden became one of the most popular Christian writers of the late nineteenth century, especially among young readers and families.
Her writing focused on teaching moral values and showing how Christian faith can be lived out in everyday life. She wrote many novels, short stories, and books for children and young adults, including Faith in Daily Life. In addition to her writing, Alden also edited a children’s magazine called The Pansy, which helped spread her influence and made her pen name well known.