Carolyn Wells was an American author and poet. Born in Rahway, New Jersey, she was the daughter of William E. and Anna Wells. Wells had been married to Hadwin Houghton, the heir of the Houghton-Mifflin publishing empire founded by Bernard Houghton. Wells also had an impressive collection of volumes of poetry by others. She bequeathed her collection of Walt Whitman poetry, said to be one of the most important of its kind for its completeness and rarity, to the Library of Congress.

Wake! For the "Honk," that scatters into flight

The Hens before it in a Flapping Fright,

  Drives straight up to your Door, and bids you Come

Out for a Morning Hour of Sheer Delight!