Phyllis McGinley American children's writer Date of Birth: 21.03.1905 Country: USA

1. Personal Life and Early Years
2. Education and New York City
3. Writing Career
4. Domestic Life and Feminism
5. Later Years and Legacy

Personal Life and Early Years

Phyllis McGinley was born in Ontario, Oregon, to Daniel and Julia Kiesel McGinley. Her father was a land speculator, and her mother played the piano. The McGinley family moved to a ranch near Iliff, Colorado, where Phyllis spent most of her childhood. Life on the ranch was not particularly enjoyable for Phyllis, who lacked friends and companionship. Her father passed away when she was 12, and the family relocated to Utah.

Education and New York City

McGinley attended the University of Utah and the University of Southern California, graduating in 1927. After selling several of her poems, she moved to New York City, where she worked as a copywriter and a schoolteacher. In 1934, she met Charles L. Hayden, a jazz pianist and Bell Telephone Company employee. They married in 1937 and settled in Larchmont, New York.

Writing Career

McGinley's children's poem, "The Year Without a Santa Claus," was published in Good Housekeeping magazine in 1956. It was well-received and led to her first book publication. Boris Karloff narrated the story for a Capitol Records LP in 1968, which became one of his last recordings before his death in 1969.

Domestic Life and Feminism

McGinley enjoyed her stable marriage and family life. She proudly called herself a "poet-housewife," a term that some critics used dismissively. However, McGinley embraced her domestic role while also acknowledging the challenges and tedium of housework. Her book "The Plain Princess" explored themes of self-reliance and individuality. While not an outspoken feminist, McGinley understood the limitations and frustrations of traditional female roles.

Later Years and Legacy

McGinley died in New York City, just a month before her 73rd birthday. She left behind a legacy as a Pulitzer Prize-winning children's writer and a thoughtful observer of domestic life and gender roles. Her work continues to be enjoyed by readers of all ages.