Margaret Leech facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Margaret Leech
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| Born | November 7, 1893 Newburgh, New York, U.S. |
| Died | February 24, 1974 (aged 80) New York City, U.S. |
| Occupation |
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| Nationality | American |
| Education | Vassar College (BA) |
| Genre | Fiction |
| Notable awards | Pulitzer Prize for History (1942, 1960) Bancroft Prize (1960) |
| Spouse |
Ralph Pulitzer
(m. 1928; died 1939) |
| Children | 1 |
Margaret Kernochan Leech (November 7, 1893 – February 24, 1974) was an American historian and writer. She was also known as Margaret Pulitzer. She won the famous Pulitzer Prize for History twice! She was the first woman to win this award for history.
Contents
About Margaret Leech
Margaret Leech was born in Newburgh, New York. She went to Vassar College and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1915. During World War I, she helped raise money for groups like the American Committee for Devastated France.
Her Early Writing Career
Margaret Leech started her writing career before World War I. She worked for a publishing company called Condé Nast. She also worked in advertising and public relations. After the war, she became friends with a group of writers and critics called the Algonquin Round Table.
On August 1, 1928, she married Ralph Pulitzer. He was the publisher of a newspaper called the New York World. Ralph's father, Joseph Pulitzer, created the Pulitzer Prize. Margaret and Ralph had one daughter named Susan.
Her Award-Winning Books
Margaret Leech wrote two very important history books that won awards.
Reveille in Washington
Her first award-winning book was Reveille in Washington, 1860–1865. This book tells the story of Washington, D.C. during the American Civil War. It talks about important people like Abraham Lincoln and his wife. It also mentions Rose Greenhow, a spy for the Southern forces. Her work helped the South win the First Battle of Bull Run. This book won the Pulitzer Prize for History in 1942.
In the Days of McKinley
Her second award-winning book was In the Days of McKinley. This book is a detailed story about President William McKinley. Margaret Leech showed him as a better person and president than some people thought. This book won the Pulitzer Prize for History in 1960. It also won the Bancroft Prize in the same year.
Other Books by Margaret Leech
Margaret Leech also wrote three novels:
- The Back of the Book (1924)
- Tin Wedding (1926)
- The Feathered Nest (1928)
In 1927, she also helped write a biography about Anthony Comstock.
Later Life
Margaret Leech passed away in New York City when she was 80 years old.
