Background knowledge The author: Rachel Carson (1907-1964) Rachel carson was born in a small rural Pennsylvania community near the Allegheny River, where she spent a great deal of time exploring the forests and streams around her 65-acre farm. As a young child, Carsons consuming passions were the nature surrounding her hillside home and her writing. She was first published"at the age of 10 in a childrens magazine dedicated to the work of young writers. Other youngsters who first saw their words in print in St Nicholas included William Faulkner and F Scott FitzgeraldBackground knowledge I. The Author: Rachel Carson (1907-1964), Rachel Carson was born in a small rural Pennsylvania community near the Allegheny River, where she spent a great deal of time exploring the forests and streams around her 65-acre farm. As a young child, Carson's consuming passions were the nature surrounding her hillside home and her writing. She was first "published" at the age of 10 in a children's magazine dedicated to the work of young writers. Other youngsters who first saw their words in print in St. Nicholas included William Faulkner and F. Scott Fitzgerald