Wanted—A Matchmaker by Paul Leicester Ford is a novel set in the early 20th century that delves into the societal pressures surrounding love and marriage, exploring the complexities of duty, class, and personal desires. The story follows a young woman who is caught between her reluctance to marry without love and the expectations of her family and society. Her stepmother, frustrated by the young woman's refusal to settle for any of the eligible suitors, pressures her to make a match, which she believes will improve the prospects of her own daughters. As the narrative unfolds, themes of love and class are explored through Constance's developing relationships with a street urchin and a compassionate doctor. The novel highlights the transformative power of love, particularly when Constance, despite her social standing, forms a deep emotional bond with those outside her usual circle. The story culminates in a Christmas reunion where characters from different social backgrounds come together, offering a reflection on the potential for new beginnings and personal growth through acts of kindness, compassion, and love. Wanted—A Matchmaker offers a heartfelt look at how love can transcend societal boundaries and reshape lives.
Paul Leicester Ford, an American novelist and biographer, was born in Brooklyn as the son of Gordon Lester Ford and Emily Fowler Ford. Ford was Noah Webster's great-grandson and the brother of historian Worthington C. Ford. He wrote about the lives of George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, and others, edited Thomas Jefferson's works, and authored several novels that were quite successful, including The Honorable Peter Stirling, Story of an Untold Love, Janice Meredith, Wanted a Matchmaker, and Wanted a Chaperon. Ford's edition of The Writings of Thomas Jefferson is still recognized as a monument of American historical research, having established the bar for documentary editing for half a century until the publication of the first volume of The Papers of Thomas Jefferson, edited by Julian P. Boyd. Ford's edition is still noteworthy for its accurate transcription from original manuscripts and meticulous annotation of the papers chosen for publishing. The Ford edition came in two versions: a 10-volume edition published between 1892 and 1896, and a 14-volume limited-numbered edition printed in 1904, known as the "Federal" edition.
