K. McDowell (Katharine McDowell) Rice

Katharine McDowell Rice, often published as K. McDowell Rice, was an American playwright associated with Worthington, Massachusetts. Project Gutenberg and library catalogs preserve several of her plays, including Dr. Hardhack's Prescription, Good King Wenceslas, Mrs. Bagg's Bargain Day, Charley's Country Cousin, and Uncle Joe's Jewel.

The title pages of her books describe her as an author and publisher of plays in Worthington, which suggests she was closely involved not only in writing but also in getting her work into readers' and performers' hands. Her plays were generally short, accessible pieces suited to children or community performance, with a light comic touch.

A memorial record for Katharine McDowell Rice gives her lifespan as 1859–1945, and census information cited there identifies her occupation as playwright. While biographical details about her life appear to be scarce, the record of her publications shows a writer who contributed to the world of early twentieth-century home, school, and amateur theater.