Flatiron District in Manhattan in New York County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Edith Wharton

1862 - 1937

— 14 West 23rd Street Manhattan —

Edith Wharton Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, April 20, 2025

1. Edith Wharton Marker

Inscription. This was the childhood home of Edith Jones Wharton, one of America's most important authors at a time when 23rd Street marked the northern boundary of fashionable New York. Here, in her father's extensive library, young Edith Jones discovered the world of literature. Wharton wrote with authority on gardens and design, but was most celebrated for her fiction. Her novels and stories and characterized by her intelligence, perception and the grand beauty of her prose. She revealed the life of the soul with courage and clarity. Wharton lived in France for the better part of her life but the complex world of patrician New York remained the source of her greatest fiction. This includes the House of Mirth (1905) and The Age of Innocence for which, in 1921, she became the first woman to win the Pulitzer Prize in Literature.

Erected 2011 by The Historic Landmarks Preservation Center.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Women. In addition, it is included in the New York, New York City Historic Landmarks Preservation Center Cultural Medallions series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1921.

Location. 40° 44.501′ N, 73° 59.418′ W. Marker is in Manhattan, New York

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, in New York County. It is in the Flatiron District. It is on West 23rd Street just west of Fifth Avenue, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 14 West 23rd Street, New York NY 10010, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in New York City.

It is also in the American Northeast

and in the Mid-Atlantic.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Netherland

and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Fifth Avenue Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Flatiron Building (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); 200 Fifth Avenue Clock (about 300 feet away); William H. Seward (about 400 feet away); New York Fire Department – City of New York (about 400 feet away); Eternal Light Flagstaff (about 400 feet away); To Our Heroes (about 500 feet away); Young Australia League (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Manhattan.

Other markers no longer nearby. S.F.B. Morse (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been confirmed missing); Commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the New York City Pride March (was about 400 feet away but has been permanently removed); Welcome to Madison Square Park! / Care for Your Park (was about 400 feet away but has been permanently removed).

Also see . . .
1. Edith Wharton. Wikipedia biography (Submitted on November 4, 2011, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland.)

2. From Wharton to Starbucks -- No. 14 West 23rd Street. "Daytonian in Manhattan"

Photographed by Erik Lander, January 3, 2004

2. Edith Wharton Marker

entry. (Submitted on April 8, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

Photographed by Larry Gertner, November 17, 2018

3. Edith Wharton Marker

The marker is to the right of the door at 14 West 23rd Street.

Photographed by Allen C. Browne, November 29, 2015

4. Edith Jones

This 1870 portrait of Edith Jones by Edward Harrison May hangs in the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, DC. It was painted in Paris “during an extensive family sojourn in Europe.” She would become Edith Wharton in 1885 when she married Edward Wharton.

Edith Wharton image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Unknown, unknown

5. Edith Wharton

Credits. This page was last revised on May 2, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 3, 2011, by Erik Lander of Brooklyn, New York. This page has been viewed 1,117 times since then and 50 times this year. Last updated on April 21, 2025, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York. Photos: 1. submitted on April 21, 2025, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York. 2. submitted on November 3, 2011, by Erik Lander of Brooklyn, New York. 3. submitted on November 17, 2018, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 4. submitted on July 26, 2016, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 5. submitted on April 8, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.