Margaret Hodges
Margaret Hodges was an influential figure in children's literature and storytelling, born in Indianapolis, Indiana, in 1911. Orphaned shortly after birth, she developed a passion for reading and writing early in life, which led her to Tudor Hall, a preparatory school where her literary works were published. After marrying Fletcher Hodges in 1932, she navigated the challenges of completing her education at Vassar College amidst the Great Depression, ultimately earning her degree in English in 1932. Hodges dedicated much of her early career to volunteering at the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, where she engaged children through storytelling and radio scripts.
Her significant contributions to children’s literature began with her first book, "One Little Drum," published in 1958, followed by a prolific writing career that included books inspired by her own experiences as a mother. In addition to writing, she served as a story specialist for the Pittsburgh Public School District and taught storytelling courses at the University of Pittsburgh. Hodges was also instrumental in creating the Elizabeth Nesbitt Room, a children's library featuring international books. She continued to be active in the literary community until her passing in 2005, leaving behind a legacy of storytelling and a commitment to children's education.
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Margaret Hodges
- Born: July 26, 1911
- Birthplace: Indianapolis, Indiana
- Died: December 13, 2005
- Place of death: Verona, Pennsylvania
Biography
Margaret Hodges was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, in 1911. Her mother died months after giving birth to Margaret; her father was a businessman. At an early age, Hodges was exposed to books and literature. She enrolled at Tudor Hall, a preparatory school, where Hodges wrote many stories and poems that were published in school collections.
In 1928, Hodges became engaged to a Harvard student by the name of Fletcher Hodges. The two married a few years later, in 1932. Before her marriage, Hodges began studying English at Vassar College. The stock market crash in 1929 almost made it impossible for Hodges to complete her education, yet she was able to win scholarships to complete her degree in 1932.
The couple married and had three children, while Fletcher worked. Once the children began to grow, Hodges took a position as a volunteer at the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh. At the library, she told stories to children as well as wrote scripts for radio programs. In 1953, Hodges moved up from writing scripts to hosting a radio program titled Let’s Tell A Story. In 1964, the program would move from radio to television.
After spending some time at the library, Hodges applied for a scholarship in order to return to school and get her master’s degree. She was awarded the scholarship and attended Carnegie Mellon University. She earned her master’s in 1958. During that time, Hodges also began to write children’s books. Her first book, One Little Drum, was published in 1958. She would continue to write children’s books based on her experiences with her own sons.
In 1964, Hodges left the library position and became the story specialist for the Pittsburgh Public School District. She was also invited to teach courses on storytelling at the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Library Science. In 1978, she would retire from the teaching position.
In the 1970’s, Hodges wrote a number of books, many of them about the subject of travel. She also helped to establish a children’s library with books collected from around the world called the Elizabeth Nesbitt Room. Into the 1980’s, 1990’s, and 2000’s, Hodges continued to write books for children and participate in a number of different projects concerning libraries, storytelling, and children’s literature. She died in 2005.