Our articles about recently-released books are great resources for readers interested in Laura Ingalls Wilder and her Little House books. Here is a brief overview of Tennessee Wildcat: On the Trail of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Mr. Edwards.

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Author: Robynne Elizabeth Miller, J.D. Rushmore
Publisher: Practical Pioneer Press (August 22, 2023)

Synopsis:
Tennessee Wildcat: On the Trail of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Mr. Edwards follows the fascinating search for one of the most beloved—and most mysterious—figures in the Little House series. Mr. Edwards, the “wildcat from Tennessee,” is remembered for helping Pa build the cabin, braving a raging creek to save Christmas, and charming young Laura despite his rough edges. But unlike most of Wilder’s characters, his true identity has never been confirmed.

In this meticulously researched historical quest, the authors investigate every lead—sifting through archives, records, and oral histories—to determine whether Mr. Edwards was a real man, a composite of several pioneers, or purely a literary invention. Along the way, Tennessee Wildcat offers a richer understanding of Laura’s storytelling, frontier life in 19th-century Kansas, and the thin line between fact and fiction in Wilder’s work.

About the Authors:
Robynne Elizabeth Miller, MFA, is an author, speaker, editor, and writing coach who directs the Vision Christian Writers Conference in Mt. Hermon, California. She has written Tennessee Wildcat: On the Trail of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Mr. Edwards, From the Mouth of Ma: A Memoir of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Mother, The Three Faces of Nellie: The Women Behind the Character Nellie Oleson, and Nonfiction, Memoir, or Fiction?: Dissecting the Works of Laura Ingalls Wilder. A lifelong fan of Laura Ingalls Wilder, Robynne draws inspiration from history and her travels while making her home in the Pacific Northwest with her British husband and youngest child.

J.D. Rushmore is a history and genealogy enthusiast specializing in pre-1900 American history and pioneer life. Passionate about solving historical mysteries—especially those tied to the Little House series—he thrives on uncovering overlooked details that reshape the past. When not researching, he’s a musician and devoted father, husband, and friend who loves exploring archives and remote historic cemeteries.

Pick up your own copy of Tennessee Wildcat: On the Trail of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Mr. Edwards here.

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