Marguerite Merington was an English-born American author, playwright, and educator who established a prominent place in the late nineteenth- and early twentieth-century American literary and theatrical scenes. Born in England in 1857, she immigrated to the United States during her youth and was raised in New York. Before embarking on her career as a professional writer, Merington worked in academia, teaching classical languages—specifically Greek and Latin—at the Normal College in New York.
Merington transitioned from teaching to writing, finding her greatest success in the theater. She became a highly regarded playwright and librettist, achieving widespread acclaim with her popular 1892 play, Captain Lettarblair. This production solidified her reputation as a capable dramatist. Throughout her career, she continued to write additional dramatic works, while also contributing short stories and essays to various publications.
In addition to her original creative writing, Merington engaged in historical and biographical work. Notably, she edited the personal correspondence of General George A. Custer and his wife, Elizabeth Bacon Custer, preserving valuable historical records of the era. Merington resided primarily in New York State throughout her adult life, continuing her literary pursuits until her death on May 20, 1951.
