Ouida, Ouida: - Maria Louise Ramé, known by her pen name Ouida, was an English novelist born on January 1, 1839, in Bury St Edmunds, United Kingdom. She was the daughter of Susan Sutton and Louis Ramée. Writing under the pseudonym Ouida, she became a moderately successful author, producing more than 40 novels, as well as numerous short stories, children's books, and essays. Ouida was renowned for her lavish lifestyle and hosted many of the literary figures of her time. While she lived in luxury, she often faced criticism for her flamboyant personality and extravagant ways. Her works typically focused on themes of romance, social class, and the complexity of human nature, with her most famous novels being "Under Two Flags" and "A Dog of Flanders." Although her popularity waned towards the end of her career, she remains an important figure in 19th-century English literature. Ouida passed away on January 25, 1908, in Viareggio, Italy, at the age of 69.