Miriam E. Mason

Mason was born on January 23, 1900, in Goshen, Indiana.[1] Her parents, Benjamin Franklin Mason and Laura Gessaman Mason, were farmers with a family of seven.[2] Mason was Lutheran.[3][4]

When she was a student, she lived in Martinsville, Indiana.[5] She attended Martinsville High School, Indiana University, the University of Missouri, and Ball State University.[6] She married M.M. Swain in 1924. They divorced. She had one daughter, Kathleen.[3]

Mason taught for several years and also worked in advertising and publishing.[3][4]

Her books were published under her maiden name of Miriam E. Mason.[7] Six of her books received starred reviews from Kirkus Reviews: Matilda and Her Family;[8] The Middle Sister;[9] A Lion for Patsy;[10] Caroline and Her Kettle Named Maud;[11] A Small Farm for Andy;[12] and Becky and Her Brave Cat, Bluegrass.[13] In addition to her books for children, she wrote hundreds of articles, short stories, and plays.[2]

She made appearances to speak to children and adults throughout her career as an author.[14][7][5]

She died on February 20, 1973, in Batesville, Indiana, at her home.[2][15][16][17][18] She had lived in Batesville since the early 1940s.[19]

Her papers are held at Indiana State University.[20]