Bryan McAllister’s personal reference notebook
September 11, 2026Short & citedBlog
Civic Viewpoint.
A quiet encyclopedia with a personal desk
Kept by Bryan McAllister — short guides, clear facts, and the Canadian angle when it matters.
People File • Author

Abigail Shrier

Abigail Shrier is an American author, journalist, and former opinion columnist for *The Wall Street Journal*.

Updated September 11, 20261 min readCited sources

Abigail Shrier is an American author and journalist known for her controversial bestsellers on gender identity and youth mental health. Her work has sparked widespread debate in the United States and Canada.

What it is

Abigail Shrier is best known for her books *Irreversible Damage* (2020) and *Bad Therapy* (2024), both of which became bestsellers. She previously wrote opinion columns for *The Wall Street Journal* and is now a senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute.

Why it matters

Shrier’s books have been central to public debates about transgender youth and the mental health of children. Her arguments have been widely discussed in Canada, influencing conversations around gender identity, parental rights, and media criticism.

Key details

Shrier was born in 1978 and studied at Columbia College, the University of Oxford, and Yale Law School. She received the Barbara Olson Award for Excellence and Independence in Journalism in 2021. Her works have been translated into multiple languages.

In short

  • American author and journalist known for books on gender identity and youth mental health.
  • Wrote *Irreversible Damage* (2020) and *Bad Therapy* (2024).
  • Recipient of the Barbara Olson Award for Journalism in 2021.
  • Senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute.
Canadian angle

Her books and commentary have been discussed in Canada as part of broader debates about gender identity, youth mental health, and media criticism, though she is primarily an American public figure.

Quick questions

Who is Abigail Shrier?
Abigail Shrier is an American journalist and author known for books on gender identity and youth mental health.
What books has she written?
Her best-known books are *Irreversible Damage* (2020) and *Bad Therapy* (2024).
What is her professional background?
She has worked as a journalist, including as an opinion columnist for *The Wall Street Journal*, and is a senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute.

Sources

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abigail_Shrier
    Supports: Birth year, nationality, occupation, Wall Street Journal role, publication dates, and award mention.
  2. Manhattan Institute — https://manhattan.institute/person/abigail-shrier
    Supports: Senior fellow role, education, books, award, and publication history.
  3. Amazon — https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B083KH37J9
    Supports: Biography, education, books, bestseller status, and award mention.
  4. Penguin Random House — https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/authors/2273934/abigail-shrier/
    Supports: Award, bestseller status, and translation information.