Elizabeth Payson Prentiss (born October 26, 1818, Portland, Maine, U.S.—died August 13, 1878, Dorset, Vermont) was an American writer of popular children's books of a pious and homely character.Elizabeth Payson was the daughter of Edward Payson, minister and revivalist. At age 19 she opened a short-lived school, but ill health made it difficult for her to establish herself. In 1845 she married the Reverend George L. Prentiss. Brittanica