McCarthy, Mary, 1912-1989

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American essayist and novelist who served as editor of the PARTISAN REVIEW (1937-1938).

From the description of Letter : Paris, to Nancy Macdonald, New York, NY, 1964 March 16. (University of California, San Diego). WorldCat record id: 31912412

American critic and novelist.

From the description of Manuscripts for The Group, 1953-1964. (Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center (HRC); University of Texas at Austin). WorldCat record id: 145405976

Born in Seattle on June 21, 1912, Mary McCarthy was the eldest of four children born to Roy and Therese McCarthy. Orphaned upon their parents’ deaths in the flu epidemic of 1918, Mary and her brothers eventually found refuge with their maternal grandparents in Seattle.

Following her graduation from Vassar College in 1933, McCarthy, intending to pursue a literary career, moved to New York City, where she soon attracted attention for her essays and dramatic criticism. In the late 1930s she began to write short stories, several of which served as the nucleus of her first novel, The Company She Keeps, published in 1942.

As one of the major figures in contemporary American cultural and political thought, Mary McCarthy wrote widely in fiction ( The Oasis, Cast a Cold Eye, The Groves of Academe ), theater criticism ( Mary McCarthy’s Theatre Chronicles, 1937-1962 ), memoir ( Memories of a Catholic Girlhood and How I Grew ), and broad-ranging commentary ( Venice Observed and The Mask of State: Watergate Portraits ). She also taught in the United States and in Britain.

Until her death on October 25, 1989, Mary McCarthy maintained a reputation for unflinching candor, biting wit, and literary grace as her writing gained and (sometimes) provoked a wide readership. Her novel The Group (1963), a fictional account of the lives of several members of the Vassar class of 1933, was her major popular success, first as a best-seller, and then as a motion picture.

From the guide to the Mary McCarthy, Manuscripts for, The Group TXRC05-A10006., 1953-1964, (The University of Texas at Austin, Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center)

Biographical Note: Mary McCarthy was an American author.

She was born in Seattle, Washington, June 21, 1912. She graduated from Vassar College in 1933 and began her writing career soon afterwards. She was successful as novelist, short-story writer, memoirist, essayist, and critic. Miss McCarthy died in New York city, October 25, 1989.

From the description of Mary McCarthy collection, 1979-1987. (Johns Hopkins University). WorldCat record id: 48380039

American novelist, essayist, and critic.

McCarthy attended Vassar College and was briefly married to Harold Johnsrud. She worked for the PARTISAN REVIEW and married Edmund Wilson. Her first book appeared in 1942, and she wrote frequently in periodicals. Following her divorce from Wilson, she married Bowden Broadwater. In 1960 they divorced, and in 1961 she married James West. McCarthy wrote 28 books and won a number of literary awards and honorary degrees. She died in 1989.

From the description of Mary McCarthy papers 1925-1990 (bulk 1960-1989). (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 52443546

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
creatorOf Farrar, Straus, and Giroux. Farrar, Straus & Giroux, Inc. records, 1899-2003 (bulk 1945-1989). New York Public Library System, NYPL
referencedIn Robert Lowell Papers TXRC94-A10., ca. 1845-1988, (bulk 1970-1977) Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center
referencedIn Dwight Macdonald papers, 1865-1984 (bulk 1920-1978) Yale University. Department of Manuscripts and Archives
referencedIn Spanish Refugee Aid (Organization). Spanish Refugee Aid Records 1941-2006 (bulk 1953-1983). Tamiment Library and Robert F. Wagner Labor Archives
referencedIn Dan Jacobson Papers TXRC93-A3., 1941-92 Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center
referencedIn Angoff, Charles, 1902-1979. Charles Angoff collection, 1927-1978. Boston University. School of Medicine
referencedIn Trocchi, Alexander, 1925-1984. Alexander Trocchi collection of papers relating to the Edinburgh international writer's conference, 1962-1967. Stanford University. Department of Special Collections and University Archives
creatorOf Fisher, M. F. K. (Mary Frances Kennedy), 1908-1992. Collection of typed letters signed (184), autograph letters signed (19), autograph and typed postcards signed (15), and autograph notes signed (7) : St. Helena, California, Last House [Glen Ellen, California], and Aix-en-Provence, to David Pleydell-Bouverie, 1968-1992. Pierpont Morgan Library.
referencedIn Doris Grumbach papers, 1938-2002 New York Public Library. Manuscripts and Archives Division
referencedIn Ephron, Nora. Imaginary friends : a play / by Nora Ephron ; music by Marvin Hamlisch ; lyrics by Craig Carnelia, 2002. New York Public Library System, NYPL
referencedIn Ettinger, Elżbieta. Papers of Elżbieta Ettinger, 1922-2001 (inclusive), 1967-2000 (bulk). Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America‏
creatorOf McCarthy, Mary, 1912-1989. Mary McCarthy papers 1925-1990 (bulk 1960-1989). Vassar College
referencedIn Halsband, Robert, 1914-. Robert Halsband papers, 1708-1976. Columbia University in the City of New York, Columbia University Libraries
creatorOf McCarthy, Mary, 1912-1989. Manuscripts for The Group, 1953-1964. Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center
referencedIn Farrar, Straus & Giroux, Inc. records, 1899-2003, 1945-1989 New York Public Library. Manuscripts and Archives Division
referencedIn Pease, Deborah. Deborah Saltonstall Pease collection, 1900-1998 (bulk 1961-1998). Boston University. School of Medicine
referencedIn Irvin Stock papers, 1882–2004 University of Delaware Library - Special Collections
referencedIn Nicola Chiaromonte papers, 1921-1982 Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library
referencedIn Novack, George Edward. George Edward Novack and Evelyn Reed papers, 1933-1992. Wisconsin Historical Society Archives
referencedIn Gifford, Barry, 1946-. Barry Gifford papers, circa 1970-2005. Stanford University. Department of Special Collections and University Archives
creatorOf Mary McCarthy, Manuscripts for, The Group TXRC05-A10006., 1953-1964 Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center
referencedIn Smith, Lorna D. (Lorna Dysart), 1897-1981. Lorna D. Smith papers, 1930-1981 (inclusive), 1965-1975 (bulk). Stanford University. Department of Special Collections and University Archives
referencedIn Elizabeth Hardwick Papers TXRC93-A46., 1934-1991 Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center
creatorOf Dillon, Millicent. Papers, 1905-1990 (bulk 1935-1986). Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center
referencedIn Chase, Richard Volney, 1914-1962. Richard Volney Chase papers, ca.1930-1984. Columbia University in the City of New York, Columbia University Libraries
creatorOf McCarthy, Mary, 1912-1989. Mary McCarthy collection, 1979-1987. Johns Hopkins University, Sheridan Libraries and the Milton S. Eisenhower Library
creatorOf Sexton, Anne, 1928-1974. Bruce Berlind Collection, 1950-1981. Colgate University, Everett Needham Case Library
referencedIn Brown, Ashley, 1923-. Ashley Brown collection, 1955-1997. Emory University. Special Collections and Archives
referencedIn Harper's Magazine Records, 1847-1983, (bulk 1940-1983) Library of Congress. Manuscript Division
creatorOf Fisher, M. F. K. (Mary Frances Kennedy), 1908-1992. Typed letter signed : Glen Ellen, California, to David Pleydell-Bouverie, 1989 Nov. 16. Pierpont Morgan Library.
creatorOf McCarthy, Mary, 1912-1989. Letter : Paris, to Nancy Macdonald, New York, NY, 1964 March 16. University of California, San Diego, UC San Diego Library; UCSD Library
creatorOf Jones, James, 1921-1977. James Jones Papers, 1890-1981 (bulk 1941-1978). Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center
referencedIn Hannah Arendt Papers 1898-1977 (bulk 1948-1977) Library of Congress. Manuscript Division
referencedIn Maxwell, William, 1908-2000. William Maxwell papers, 1928-1999. University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign
creatorOf Papers, [ca. 1927]-1974. New York State Historical Documents Inventory
referencedIn Charles Henri Ford Papers TXRC97-A13., 1928-1981 Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center
creatorOf James T. Farrell-Cleo Paturis papers, 1909-2006, bulk 1949-2004. Newberry Library
creatorOf McCarthy, Mary, 1912-1989. Office files of The American Poetry Review, 1979-1994. University of Pennsylvania Libraries, Van Pelt Library
referencedIn Berenson, Bernard, 1865-1959. Bernard and Mary Berenson, Papers (1880-2002, bulk 1880-1959) : a finding aid. Houghton Library
referencedIn Macdonald, Dwight. Dwight Macdonald papers, 1865-1984 (bulk 1920-1978) Yale University Library
creatorOf Lowell, Robert, 1917-1977. Robert Lowell papers, 1861-1976 (inclusive) 1935-1970 (bulk). Houghton Library
creatorOf Grumbach, Doris. Doris Grumbach papers, 1938-2002. New York Public Library System, NYPL
referencedIn Steinbeck, John, 1902-1968. Papers of John Steinbeck [manuscript], 1932-1974. University of Virginia. Library
referencedIn Bollingen Foundation Records, 1927-1981, (bulk 1945-1973) Library of Congress. Manuscript Division
creatorOf Hardwick, Elizabeth. Papers, 1934-1991 (bulk 1960-1990). Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center
referencedIn Ford, Charles Henri, 1913-. Charles Henri Ford Papers, 1928-1981. Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center
referencedIn Richard Volney Chase Papers, ca.1930-1984. Columbia University. Rare Book and Manuscript Library
referencedIn Millicent Dillon Papers TXRC92-A25., 1905-1990 Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center
referencedIn New Directions Publishing records Houghton Library
referencedIn Edmund Wilson papers, 1829-1986, 1920-1972 Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library
creatorOf Mallon, Thomas, 1951-. Thomas Mallon papers 1973-1988 Vassar College
referencedIn Elizabeth Bishop Papers Vassar College
referencedIn Moorehead, Agnes, 1906-1974. Papers, 1923-1974. Wisconsin Historical Society, Newspaper Project
creatorOf Robert Lowell Papers TXRC94-A10., ca. 1845-1988, (bulk 1970-1977) Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center
referencedIn Spanish Refugee Aid Records, Bulk, 1953-1983, 1941-2006, (Bulk 1953-1983) Tamiment Library and Robert F. Wagner Labor Archives
creatorOf Jacobson, Dan. Papers, 1941-1994. Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
associatedWith A.M. Hearth & Company. corporateBody
correspondedWith Angoff, Charles, 1902-1979. person
associatedWith Arendt, Hannah. person
correspondedWith Arendt, Hannah, 1906-1975. person
associatedWith Berenson, Bernard, 1865-1959. person
associatedWith Bishop, Elizabeth, 1911-1979. person
associatedWith Bollingen Foundation. corporateBody
associatedWith Brandt & Brandt. corporateBody
associatedWith Broadwater, Bowden. person
associatedWith Brown, Ashley, 1923- person
associatedWith Chase, Richard Volney, 1914-1962. person
associatedWith Chiaromonte, Nicola. person
associatedWith Dillon, Millicent 1925- person
associatedWith Ephron, Nora. person
associatedWith Ettinger, Elżbieta. person
associatedWith Farrar, Straus, and Giroux. corporateBody
associatedWith Farrell, James T. (James Thomas), 1904-1979. person
associatedWith Fisher, M. F. K. (Mary Frances Kennedy), 1908-1992. person
associatedWith Ford, Charles Henri, 1913- person
associatedWith Gifford, Barry, 1946- person
associatedWith Grumbach, Doris. person
associatedWith Halsband, Robert, 1914- person
associatedWith Harcourt, Brace & Jovanovich. corporateBody
associatedWith Hardwick, Elizabeth, 1916-2007 person
associatedWith Harper's Magazine corporateBody
associatedWith Hellman, Lillian, 1905-1984. person
associatedWith Jacobson, Dan person
associatedWith Jacobson, Dan. person
associatedWith Jones, James, 1921-1977. person
associatedWith Kahn, Herman, 1902- person
associatedWith Kohler, Lotte. person
associatedWith Lowell, Robert, 1917-1977 person
associatedWith Macdonald, Dwight. person
associatedWith MacDonald, Dwight. person
associatedWith Mallon, Thomas, 1951- person
correspondedWith Maxwell, William, 1908-2000. person
associatedWith Moorehead, Agnes, 1906-1974. person
correspondedWith New Directions Publishing Corp. corporateBody
associatedWith Nooteboom, Cees, 1933- person
associatedWith Novack, George Edward. person
correspondedWith Pease, Deborah. person
associatedWith Rahv, Philip, 1908-1973. person
associatedWith Schlesinger, Arthur Meier, 1917- person
associatedWith Smith, Lorna D. (Lorna Dysart), 1897-1981. person
associatedWith Spanish Refugee Aid (Organization) corporateBody
associatedWith Spender, Stephen, 1909-1995. person
associatedWith Steinbeck, John, 1902-1968. person
associatedWith Stock, Irvin, 1920- person
associatedWith Stwertka, Eve. person
associatedWith Trocchi, Alexander, 1925-1984. person
associatedWith Tucci, Niccolò, 1908- person
associatedWith Vassar College corporateBody
associatedWith Viscusi, Margo. person
associatedWith West family. family
associatedWith Wilson, Edmund, 1895-1972. person
associatedWith Wilson, Reuel K., 1938- person
Place Name Admin Code Country
Europe
United States
France
Spain
Subject
Publishers and publishing
Authors, American
Dissenters
Politics and literature
Vietnam War, 1961-1975
Women novelists, American
Occupation
Authors, American
Women authors, American
Critic
Literary agents
Novelists
Women novelists, American
Activity

Person

Birth 1912-06-21

Death 1989-10-25

Americans

Multiple languages,

English

Information

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SNAC ID: 33073777