Margaret Widdemer

Born in 1884, Margaret Widdemer was an American poet and novelist whose writing reached a wide popular audience in the first half of the 20th century. She is best remembered for winning the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry in 1919 for The Old Road to Paradise, sharing the honor with Carl Sandburg.

Widdemer published poems, novels, and books for young readers, and she was known for graceful, accessible writing rather than showy literary style. Her work often focused on family life, memory, spirituality, and the hopes and disappointments of ordinary people.

She died in 1978, leaving behind a body of work that reflects both literary success and a deep connection with general readers. For listeners coming to her today, she offers a window into American literary life in the early 1900s, along with a voice that is thoughtful, gentle, and sincere.