Prentiss E. (Elizabeth) PrentissAmerican novelist Elizabeth Payson Prentiss born on October 26, 1818, is best known for the devotional book Stepping Heavenward and the song "More Love to Thee, O Christ" (1869). The late 20th century saw a rise in interest in her books. Elizabeth Pason, the fifth of Congregationalist minister Edward Payson's eight children, was born in Portland, Maine, in the United States. From an early age, Elizabeth showed extraordinary perceptiveness, profound and quick compassion, and keen cerebral ability. Elizabeth began regularly contributing stories and poetry to "The Youth's Companion," a New England religious publication, by the time she was 16 years old. Little Susy's Six Birthdays, which she composed in just ten days, was published in 1853. The poem "Mr. Nobody," which went on to become well-known among young readers and is occasionally mistakenly ascribed to "anonymous" or "Walter de la Mare," was written by her. At the age of 59, Elizabeth died in Dorset, Vermont, on August 13, 1878. The song "More Love to Thee" was played during her funeral. Read More Read Less