Margaret Halsey

Date of Birth: February 13, 1910

Zodiac Sign: Aquarius

Date of Death: February 4, 1997

Biography

Margaret Halsey was an American author renowned for her wit and keen observations of social manners. Born in Yonkers, New York, Halsey initially worked as a secretary before finding her voice as a writer. She gained prominence with her 1938 book “With Malice Toward Some,” which humorously chronicled her experiences living in England. The book became an immediate bestseller and established her as a prominent literary figure. Over her career, Halsey published several more works, often blending humor with social critique. Despite facing various personal and professional challenges, she remained a respected voice in American literature until her death in 1997.

5 Interesting Facts about Margaret Halsey

1. Margaret Halsey’s book “With Malice Toward Some” was considered a refreshing and insightful look at English society during the pre-World War II era.

2. Before becoming an author, she worked as a secretary at Simon & Schuster, where she was encouraged by her employers to write.

3. Halsey’s book “Color Blind: A White Woman Looks at the Negro” (1946) was ahead of its time, addressing racial issues in America.

4. She was married to historian and author Ernest Peixotto, who supported her throughout her writing career.

5. Halsey’s sharp wit and humorous style drew comparisons to Dorothy Parker, another famed American writer known for her humor.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Margaret Halsey

1. “Humor is perhaps a sense of intellectual perspective: an awareness that some things are really important, others not; and that the two kinds are most oddly jumbled in everyday affairs.”

2. “The English never smash in a face. They merely refrain from asking it to tea.”

3. “It is easier to love humanity as a whole than to love one’s neighbor.”

4. “The American tendency to pursue success at all costs has led to a society where individuality is often sacrificed for achievement.”

5. “Books are humanity in print.”