Mabel Wolfe Wheaton, Thomas Wolfe's older sister, was born in 1890. She is lavishly portrayed as Helen Gant in both Look Homeward, Angel and Of Time and the River.

"She was almost six feet tall: she had large hands and feet, thin straight legs, a big-boned generous face, with the long full chin slightly adroop, revealing her big gold-traced upper teeth. But, in spite of this gauntness, she did not look hard-featured or raw-boned. Her face was full of heartiness and devotion, sensitive, whole-souled, hurt, bitter, hysterical, but at times transparently radiant and handsome."