Helen Ricker Beebe (May 16, 1900 – July 31, 1984) was an American romance novelist who published under the name Elswyth Thane.

Born in Burlington, Iowa, she was the daughter of a local teacher and high school principal.

The family moved to New York City in 1918, and "Helen Ricker" changed her name to "Elswyth Thane".

In later books, the action moves from Williamsburg to New York City, Richmond, Virginia and England.

[1] On September 22, 1927, at 27 years old she married 50-year-old naturalist and explorer William Beebe; it was his second marriage.