Margaret Cole facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Margaret Cole
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Margaret Cole in 1944-45 by Stella Bowen
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| Born | Margaret Isabel Postgate 6 May 1893 United Kingdom |
| Died | 7 May 1980 (aged 87) United Kingdom |
| Occupation | Writer, politician |
| Alma mater | Roedean School Girton College, Cambridge |
| Genre | Mystery, biography |
| Spouse |
G.D.H. Cole
(m. 1918; died 1959) |
| Relatives |
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Dame Margaret Isabel Cole (born Postgate; 6 May 1893 – 7 May 1980) was an English writer, poet, and politician. She was a strong supporter of socialism, which is a way of organizing society where the community owns and controls the means of production and distribution of goods. Margaret Cole wrote many detective stories with her husband, G. D. H. Cole. After World War II, she held important jobs in the London government.
Contents
Life and Education
Margaret Isabel Postgate was born on May 6, 1893. Her father was John Percival Postgate and her mother was Edith Allen. Margaret went to Roedean School and then to Girton College, Cambridge, a famous university.
While studying at Cambridge, she read books by writers like H. G. Wells and George Bernard Shaw. These books made her think differently about her upbringing. She became very interested in socialism after reading important books on the topic.
Even though she finished her studies, Cambridge University did not officially allow women to graduate until 1947. After college, Margaret became a teacher of classics (ancient Greek and Roman studies) at St Paul's Girls' School. She wrote a poem called The Falling Leaves. This poem was her response to World War I. It is still studied in English Literature classes today.
Becoming a Pacifist
During World War I, Margaret's brother, Raymond Postgate, was a socialist. He did not want to join the military because of his beliefs. He was called a conscientious objector, meaning he refused to fight for moral or religious reasons. However, his refusal was not accepted, and he was sent to jail.
Margaret supported her brother strongly. This experience led her to believe in pacifism, which is the belief that all violence and war are wrong. She campaigned against conscription, which is when people are forced to join the military. During this time, she met G. D. H. Cole. They got married in August 1918.
Margaret and G. D. H. Cole worked together for the Fabian Society. This group promotes socialist ideas through research and education. In 1924, they moved to Oxford, where they both taught and wrote many books.
In the early 1930s, Margaret changed her mind about pacifism. She saw how socialist groups were being stopped by governments in Germany and Austria. Events in the Spanish Civil War also made her realize that sometimes, fighting might be necessary to protect important values.
Work in Education
In 1941, Margaret Cole joined the Education Committee of the London County Council. She was chosen by Herbert Morrison, a well-known politician. Margaret became a strong supporter of comprehensive education. This means that all children, no matter their background or ability, go to the same school together.
She served as an alderman (a senior member of a local council) on the London County Council from 1952 until 1965. After that, she was a member of the Inner London Education Authority from 1965 until she retired in 1967.
Margaret Cole received special honors for her public service. In 1965, she was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE). In 1970, she was promoted to Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE). This honor gave her the title dame.
Dame Margaret Cole passed away on May 7, 1980, the day after her 87th birthday.
Her Writings
Margaret Cole wrote several books on her own. One of them was a biography about her husband, G. D. H. Cole. Her brother, Raymond, was also a writer who focused on history and journalism.
Margaret and her husband worked together on many projects. They had a son and two daughters. They also wrote many mystery novels together. Margaret wrote a detailed book about their life together after her husband passed away.
Detective Stories
Margaret Cole and her husband, G. D. H. Cole, were famous for their detective novels. They created many exciting mystery stories together.
Novels and Short Story Collections
G. D. H. Cole
- The Brooklyn Murders (1923). Margaret Cole did not help write this book.
G. D. H. and M. Cole
- The Death of a Millionaire (1925)
- The Blatchington Tangle (1926)
- The Murder at Crome House (1927)
- The Man from the River (1928)
- Superintendent Wilson's Holiday (1928)
- Poison in the Garden Suburb (1929)
- Burglars in Bucks (1930)
- Corpse in Canonicals (1930)
- The Great Southern Mystery (1931)
- Dead Man's Watch (1931)
- Death of a Star (1932)
- A Lesson in Crime (1933)
- A Lesson in Crime; A Question of Coincidence; Mr. Steven's Insurance Policy; Blackmail in the Village; The Cliff Path Ghost; Sixteen Years Run; Wilson Calling (Wilson); The Brentwardine Mystery; The Mother of the Detective; A Dose of Cyanide; Superintendent Wakley's Mistake.
- The Affair at Aliquid (1933)
- End of an Ancient Mariner (1933)
- Death in the Quarry (1934)
- Big Business Murder (1935)
- Dr Tancred Begins (1935)
- Scandal at School (1935)
- Last Will and Testament (1936)
- The Brothers Sackville (1936)
- Disgrace to the College (1937)
- The Missing Aunt (1937)
- Mrs Warrender's Profession (1938)
- Off with her Head! (1938)
- Double Blackmail (1939)
- Greek Tragedy (1939)
- Wilson and Some Others (1940)
- Death in a Tankard (Wilson); Murder in Church (Wilson); The Bone of the Dinosaur (Wilson); A Tale of Two Suitcases (Wilson); The Motive (Wilson); Glass (Wilson); Murder in Broad Daylight (Wilson); Ye Olde Englysshe Christmasse or Detection in the Eighteenth Century; The Letters; The Partner; A Present from the Empire; The Strange Adventures of a Chocolate Box; Strychnine Tonic.
- Murder at the Munition Works (1940)
- Counterpoint Murder (1940)
- Knife in the Dark (1941)
- Toper's End (1942)
- Death of a Bride (1945)
- Birthday Gifts (1946)
- The Toys of Death (1948)
Radio Plays
G. D. H. and M. Cole also wrote radio plays:
- Murder in Broad Daylight. BBC Home Service, 1 June 1934
- The Bone of the Dinosaur. (Detection Club: Series 1, Episode 6). BBC Home Service, 23 and 27 November 1940
