Literature Trail

John Marquand
Born into an upper class Newburyport family that included both reformer Margaret Fuller and architect Buckminster Fuller, but whose fortunes were on the wane, John Marquand (1893-1960) wrote humorous and satirical novels that often poked fun at the machinations of upper crust New England society. One of the most popular novelists of his day (critics compared him to John O'Hara and Sinclair Lewis), much of his major work has since fallen out of print.

As a student at Harvard he was considered "unclubbable" and denied a position with the Harvard Crimson newspaper, but found a voice at the school's humor magazine The Harvard Lampoon. His first book was published in 1925 about Newburyport eccentric "Lord" Timothy Dexter. Other books skewering New England's high society followed, as well as frequent contributions to magazines including the Saturday Evening Post and Sports Illustrated. In addition to his satirical work, he also published the best selling "Mr. Moto" spy novels.

Gravesite of John Marquand
Address: Sawyer's Hill Burying Ground, Curzon's Mill, Newburyport

Exhibit on John Marquand
Address: Custom House Maritime Museum
25 Water Street
Phone: 978-462-8681
Website: www.thechmm.org
Hours: Tuesday-Sunday, 11-4
Admission: Adults $5, Seniors and Youth $4, Children 12 and under free

Newburyport Public Library
Address: 94 State Street, Newburyport
Phone: 978-465-4428
Website:  www.newburyportpl.org
(The library contains works by Marquand.)

Historical Society of Old Newbury
Address: 98 High Street, Newburyport
Phone: 978-462-2681
Website: www.newburyhist.com
(The Society's collections include works by Marquand.)