Hyde, Margaret O. (Margaret Oldroyd), 1917-

Margaret Oldroyd Hyde was born in Philadelphia on February 18, 1917, and spent most of her life in the Philadelphia area. She attended Beaver College (now Arcadia University), planning to become a physician, but her parents forbade it. She attended Columbia University Teacher College and became a science teacher at the Shipley School. Hyde initially had no interest in writing but her mentor, Dr. Gerald Craig, convinced her to rewrite and update textbooks he had written for sixth-graders. The resulting book began her long career of science and health writing for adolescents. Her books focus on science, invention, and social issues. Hyde continues to write and currently lives in Connecticut.

Margaret Oldroyd Hyde was born in Philadelphia on February 18, 1917, and spent most of her life in the Philadelphia area. She attended Beaver College (now Arcadia University), planning to become a physician, but her parents forbade it. Instead, she attended Columbia University Teacher College and became a science teacher at the Shipley School.

Hyde initially had no interest in writing but her mentor, Dr. Gerald Craig, convinced her to rewrite and update textbooks he had written for sixth-graders. The resulting book, New Ideas in Science (1947), began her long career of science and health writing for adolescents. Her early books focused on science and invention, including titles like Flight Today and Tomorrow (1953), Driving Today and Tomorrow (1954), and Atoms Today and Tomorrow (1955). Later in her career, however, Hyde began to focus more on social issues with titles like Speak Out on Rape (1976), Brainwashing and Other Forms of Mind Control (1977), and Cry Softly: The Story of Child Abuse (1980).

Hyde frequently shared author credit with experts, including a series of books co-written with psychiatrist Elizabeth Forsyth. Hyde also co-wrote six books with her sons. Her later books are part of her 101 series with Forsyth, focusing on topics like drugs, smoking, safe sex, and spirituality for teens. Hyde continues to write and currently lives in Connecticut.

Bibliography:

Children’s Literature Review, vol. 23.

“Margaret O. Hyde.” Contemporary Authors Online . Detroit: Gale, 2008.

Something About the Author, vol. 139.