Nella Larsen (1891–1964) was an acclaimed American novelist associated with the Harlem Renaissance, a cultural movement in the 1920s and 1930s that celebrated African American literature, art, and music. Larsen's most well-known works are 'Quicksand' (1928) and 'Passing' (1929), which explore themes of racial identity, classism, and social conventions. She was one of the few Black women writers of her time to gain recognition for her insightful portrayal of complex female characters in a society marked by racism and discrimination.