Algar Thorold
Willard Thorp
Margaret Farrand Thorp after her graduation, 1910s.
Photographer unknown; Willard Thorp and Margaret Farrand Thorp Papers, Special Collections, Princeton University Library.

Margaret Thorp, née Farrand

(1891–1970)

Margaret Thorp, née Farrand (1891–1970): contemporary and oldest friend of Emily Hale (both were born in East Orange, New Jersey). Educated at Smith College (AB, AM) and Yale (PhD, 1934), she was a noted author and biographer: her works include Charles Kingsley, 1819–1875 (1937), America at the Movies (1939), Female Persuasion: Six Strong­Minded Women (1949), Neilson of Smith (1956), Sara Orne Jewett (1966). She and Willard Thorp were married in 1930. TSE to Peter Mayer, 31 Jan. 1945, of America at the Movies: ‘I have not read Mrs Thorp’s big book, but Mrs Thorp is an old friend of mine and I know that anything she did would be a serious sociological study, indeed, possibly serious to the point of heaviness. But her subject is certainly an interesting and important one.’