Who was Enheduanna, the ancient Mesopotamian figure often called the earliest known named author?

Enheduanna was an Akkadian high priestess and is often called the earliest known named author in world literature. She lived in the 23rd century BCE and served as chief priestess of the moon god Nanna at the temple in Ur.

Enheduanna was the daughter of Sargon of Akkad, the ruler who created the Akkadian Empire. Her position at Ur helped connect the political traditions of Akkad with the religious culture of Sumer. Her name appears in inscriptions and literary compositions, giving historians unusually direct evidence about an individual ancient writer.

Works associated with her include hymns to the goddess Inanna, especially the composition known as The Exaltation of Inanna. Some surviving tablets are later copies, so scholars distinguish between her historical authorship and the transmission history of the texts. She should not be confused with a queen: her title was religious, not royal.