Phyllis McGinley

Date of Birth: March 21, 1905

Zodiac Sign: Aries

Date of Death: February 22, 1978

Biography

Phyllis McGinley was an American author and poet known for her light verse and insightful poetry that often celebrated and critiqued suburban life. Born on March 21, 1905, in Ontario, Oregon, McGinley grew up in a number of small towns in the American West. She attended the University of Southern California and the University of Utah, where she cultivated her skills in literature and writing. McGinley’s career took off when she moved to New York City in the 1920s. She initially worked as a teacher and an advertising copywriter, but her talent for poetry soon led her to become a full-time writer. Her witty, often satirical poems appeared in major publications such as The New Yorker, and she went on to publish numerous collections of poetry. In 1961, McGinley won the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry for her book “Times Three: Selected Verse from Three Decades.” This accolade solidified her reputation as one of the foremost poets of her time. Despite her success, McGinley chose to focus on themes of domesticity, often celebrating the ordinary experiences of suburban housewives. This focus earned her both praise and criticism, as some felt her work lacked the gravitas of more politically charged poetry. McGinley was also a successful essayist and children’s author. She passed away on February 22, 1978, in New York City, leaving behind a legacy of accessible, yet profound, literary work.

5 Interesting Facts about Phyllis McGinley

1. Phyllis McGinley was the first to earn a Pulitzer Prize for poetry for a work primarily composed of light verse.

2. She appeared on the cover of Time magazine on June 18, 1965.

3. McGinley’s poems often depicted the virtues of suburban life, which was a unique focus at the time.

4. She was a member of the National Institute of Arts and Letters.

5. McGinley was known for incorporating humor and wit into her poetry, making her work widely accessible and enjoyable.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Phyllis McGinley

1. “Sticks and stones are hard on bones aimed with angry art. Words can sting like anything but silence breaks the heart.”

2. “A hobby a day keeps the doldrums away.”

3. “The enemy of happiness, as I see it, is the unexamined life.”

4. “Of one thing I am certain, the body is not the measure of healing, peace is the measure.”

5. “A mother is not a person to lean on but a person to make leaning unnecessary.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Phyllis McGinley’s highest net worth was modest by today’s standards, primarily derived from her book sales, magazine publications, and various literary awards. Specific figures are not readily available, but she was considered financially comfortable during her lifetime.