Biography Marjorie Lowry Christie Pickthall

Poet Biography

Full name: Marjorie Lowry Christie Pickthall. Born September 14, 1883 in Middlesex, England. Daughter of Arthur C. Pickthall.

Moved with her family to Southwater, Sussex, then to Toronto in 1889. Educated at St. Mildred's College and Bishop Strachan School. Sold her first story, Two- ears, to the Toronto Globe while still a student at Bishop Strachan School.

Employed as an assistant librarian at Victoria College Library from 1910-12. Contributed to several periodicals and wrote The drift of pinions, which was published in 1913.

Moved to England in 1912 and lived near Salisbury until 1919. Participated in World War I as an ambulance driver, farm labourer and library clerk; wrote many short stories and poems during this period. Returned to Toronto following the War, then moved to Vancouver, where she continued to write short stories and began a third novel, The beaten man. Lived there for two years until her death following an operation.

Published poems and short stories extensively (over 200 stories; approximately 100 poems), along with numerous articles, and was represented in: Atlantic Monthly, Harper's, Scribner's, and many other popular journals; also contributed to young people's magazines.