Peter Clark MacFarlane

Peter Clark MacFarlane (March 8, 1871 – June 9, 1924) was a novelist in the United States.[1] The 1919 comedy film Molly of the Follies is based on his story "The Side-Show Girl". The 1924 film Tongues of Flame was adapted from his novel of the same name.

MacFarlane was born in Saint Clair County, Missouri on March 8, 1871.[2] His initial employment was as a railroad clerk.[2] He studied at Florida Agricultural College and then studied theology at a seminary in Berkeley, California, graduating in 1905.[2][3] He took a position as a pastor in Alameda, California and was a minister for seven years. He also served as Secretary of the Brotherhood of Disciples of Christ.[2][3] He left ministry to become an actor and lecturer.[3]

In 1912 he wrote a critique of then-governor and Democratic Party presidential candidate Woodrow Wilson.[4] In 1922 he was one of two speakers at a San Jose rally in support of Senator Johnson.[5] MacFarlane corresponded with Teddy Roosevelt.[6] Hiram Johnson considered MacFarlane among the best orators of his time.[7]

With a goal of improving his writing, he joined the United States military during World War 1, entering Germany with the Second army division, then transferring to the Seventy-Seventh for action at Vesle, and then serving with the Marines at St. Mihiel.[7][8] He spent 1921 and 1922 lecturing on the Chautauqua circuit.[2]

MacFarlane shot himself in the head at the San Francisco morgue on June 9, 1924, leaving a note discussing his incurable kidney disease and mental toil regarding self-expression.[2]

MacFarlane was frequently published in The American Magazine, Collier's, and the Saturday Evening Post where his articles on politics received significant attention.[7][8]

MacFarlane was married twice. His first marriage to Emma D. Garfield ended with her death in 1908.[2] He was married to his second wife Florence E. Judson at the time of his death.[2]