Raised in a bleak orphanage without even a name from her parents, this modern girls' fairy tale tells the story of Jerusha Abbott, a plucky young woman without ties and unsure of her future. After a visit from the trustees of the orphanage, Jerusha is told that one of the trustees sees in her the potential of a writer and wishes to be the patron of her college education. In exchange for tuition payment and a generous monthly allowance, Jerusha must write him a letter each month. She goes to an excellent women's university and thrives, growing, learning, and having fun in an adventurous period of self-discovery. First published in 1912, Webster's tale of an orphan and her unknown, shadowy benefactor is an enriching love story that unfolds in the countless pages of a cheerful young woman's letters.

琴·韦伯斯特，美国人。1876年出生于纽约州的佛雷多尼亚一个充满文艺气息的家庭中，父亲从事出版工作，母亲是马克·吐温的侄女。

在校期间，她就常常在巴萨女子大学的校友杂志和地方新闻刊物投稿；并利用课余时间，到孤儿院和感化院做社会服务。而这段时间的所见所闻，也成为她日后写作《长腿叔叔》的最佳素材。1912年，韦伯斯特出版小说《长腿叔叔》。在她多项作品中，以《长腿叔叔》最受读者喜爱，此书后来拍成电影，由当时最受欢迎的女明星担任女主角，使小说的影响更加深入。