Daddy Long-Legs illustrated Jean Webster - Daddy Long-Legs is a book written by Jean Webster and first published in 1912. It tells the story of Jerusha Abbott, who grew up in an orphanage but was sent to college by a mysterious benefactor she calls Daddy Long-Legs. In college she falls in love with a young man who wants to marry her, but she refuses because she is an orphan. Finally, after Jerusha--now Judy--graduates, she asks to meet her benefactor.