Ella Rhoads Higginson (1862-1940) was an American author of award-winning fiction, poetry, and essays. She was influential for the international attention her writing drew to the then little-known Pacific Northwest region of the United States. She helped establish the first public reading room and library in Bellingham and served on the library’s board. In 1912 she served as campaign manager for Republican candidate Frances C. Axtell, who became the first female member of the Washington state legislature.