Will Allen Dromgoole (1860-1934) was an author and poet born in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. She was graduated from the Clarksville female academy, Tennessee in 1876, studied law with her father. She also studied at the New England School of Expression in Boston. In 1883 she was appointed assistant engrossing clerk of the Tennessee House of Representatives and in 1885 she was elected as engrossing clerk of the state senate. Dromgoole wrote over 7,500 poems, 5,000 essays, and published thirteen books. Her poem The Bridge Builder is often reprinted and remains quite popular. She is also known for having written a series of articles on the American ethnic group known as the Melungeons. Her other works also include: Heart of Old Hickory and Other Stories of Tennessee (1891), The Farrier's Dog and His Fellow (1897), Further Adventures of the Fellow (1898), Valley Path (1898), Three Little Crackers (1898), Hero Chums (1898) and Rare Old Chums (1898).