Amelia Edith Barr was born on March 29, 1831 in Manchester, England. She was the eldest of nine children and her family immigrated to the United States when she was a child. They settled in Texas, where she grew up. She was educated at home by her father, who was a minister. Despite her lack of formal education, she was a voracious reader and began writing at a young age.

In 1872, at the age of 41, she moved to New York City, where she began publishing her writing in various magazines and newspapers. Her first novel, "Jan Vedder's Wife", was published in 1891 and was a success. She wrote prolifically and quickly established herself as one of the most popular and best-selling authors of her time. Many of her novels were set in colonial America, and dealt with themes of love, family, and moral issues. She was known for her strong, independent female characters and her ability to convey deep emotions through her writing.

In addition to her writing, Barr was also an advocate for women's rights and education. She was involved in various social and philanthropic causes throughout her life. She was a member of the Women's Christian Temperance Union and was an advocate for the education of women. She also worked to improve the lives of immigrants and the poor.

Barr died on March 10, 1919 in New York City. She was 87 years old. Even though her work is not as well known today, she was considered a major literary figure in her time, and her books were widely read and translated in several languages.