Jean Zimmerman is an acclaimed author known for her fiction and nonfiction, who transitioned to a career as a Certified Arborist in 2015, focusing on tree preservation. During her residency at Catwalk, she is developing her memoir Heartwood, which explores her profound connection with woodlands, the cultural history of American forests, and her journey of personal reinvention after midlife. The memoir also addresses her recent ALS diagnosis, aiming to resonate with those facing significant health challenges.

Zimmerman's previous works include The Women of the House, detailing a female fur trader in Dutch New York, The Orphanmaster, a suspense novel set in New Amsterdam, and Love, Fiercely, a dual biography of Gilded Age philanthropists. She frequently highlights the flora and fauna of the Catwalk estate in her writing, which she describes as one of the most magical places on earth.

https://jeanzimmerman.com

Affiliation: Columbia