Christopher Morley

Christopher Darlington Morley (1890-1957) was a versatile American writer, active as a journalist, novelist, essayist, and poet. Born in Pennsylvania, he pursued his education at Haverford College and Oxford University on a Rhodes scholarship. After establishing his literary career in New York City, he married and raised four children. Morley's writing output was extensive, encompassing over a hundred books. His early novels, "Parnassus on Wheels" and "The Haunted Bookshop," remain popular. He was also involved in producing stage productions and giving lectures. Later in life, a series of strokes significantly impacted his ability to write. He passed away in 1957, leaving behind a legacy celebrated by his contemporaries and preserved in his extensive body of work. His final message to readers encouraged independent thought and reading.

Morley's writing journey began during his college years, where he edited publications and participated in drama. His first published work was a poetry collection, "The Eighth Sin," in 1912. He then transitioned to a career in publishing and journalism, working for various magazines and newspapers. His early novels, "Parnassus on Wheels" (1917) and "The Haunted Bookshop" (1919), introduced characters that resonated with readers and explored themes related to bookselling and literature. Morley also penned a popular column, "The Bowling Green," for the New York Evening Post. His influence extended to co-founding "The Saturday Review of Literature," where he served as a contributing editor. He was known for his enthusiastic engagement with literary communities, such as the Baker Street Irregulars, dedicated to the study of Sherlock Holmes, for whom he wrote introductions. Morley's ability to analyze literature deeply is evident in his essays, where he treated fictional characters and settings with scholarly rigor.

Beyond his own writing, Morley played a significant role in shaping literary discourse and appreciation. He contributed prefaces and introductions to numerous books, some of which were later collected as "Prefaces without Books." His work on Sherlock Holmes, in particular, demonstrated a unique approach, treating the stories as historical artifacts worthy of detailed analysis, including mapping and character studies. Morley also undertook significant editorial projects, revising and expanding "Bartlett's Familiar Quotations" in the late 1930s and 1940s. He served as an early judge for the Book of the Month Club, influencing the selection of widely read books. His novel "Kitty Foyle" (1939) was notable for its frank discussion of abortion, becoming a bestseller and adapted into an award-winning film. Morley also co-produced theatrical productions in Hoboken, New Jersey, contributing to the arts scene.

Born in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, Christopher Morley was influenced by his parents, his father being a mathematics professor and his mother a violinist. After his studies at Haverford College and Oxford, he settled in New York and married Helen Booth Fairchild, with whom he had four children. The family resided in various locations before settling in Roslyn Estates, New York, where Morley maintained a dedicated writing studio called "The Knothole." His prolific career was curtailed by strokes in 1951. Morley's enduring message encouraged independent thinking and reading, emphasizing the value of diverse perspectives. His home and writing studio in Roslyn Estates were preserved and moved to Christopher Morley Park, serving as a lasting memorial to his contributions to literature and culture.

“Read, every day, something no one else is reading. Think, every day, something no one else is thinking. Do, every day, something no one else would be silly enough to do. It is bad for the mind to be always part of a unanimity.”