The Iron Woman is a novel of manners set in the 19th century fictional locale of Mercer, an Ohio River community that represents Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The novel tells the story of Mrs. Maitland, a leathery old widow who owns and operates an iron mill. Her devotion to a Puritanical work ethic alienates her son Blair, who though he stands to inherit the business, is headstrong and in love with Elizabeth Ferguson, a match Mrs. Maitland disapproves of.

Margaret Deland (1857-1945) was an American novelist, short story writer, and poet. She also wrote an autobiography in two volumes. Deland is known principally for the novel John Ward, Preacher, an indictment of Calvinism. She is generally considered part of the literary realism movement.