Elizabeth Conwell Smith Willson (April 26, 1842 – October 13, 1864) was an American poet from the U.S. state of Indiana.
George D. Prentice, the editor of the Louisville Journal, recognized her poetic talent and mentored her.. Elizabeth Conwell Smith was born April 26, 1842, at Colter House, Laurel, Indiana.
At about the age of 16, after her mother's death, Willson started to Brookville College, which was then under the presidency of George Augustus Chase.
After Chase left Brookville, he took charge of Indiana Asbury Female College in New Albany,[2] and Willson followed him there, remaining until she graduated.
They removed to Hornellsville, New York, where Forceythe's younger brother – future Kentucky Governor Augustus E. Willson – was enrolled in school, and later to Cambridge, Massachusetts.