Dorothy Parker

Dorothy Parker (1893-1967) was an American poet, writer, critic, and satirist, famed for her sharp wit and poignant, often melancholic, literary voice. Born Dorothy Rothschild in Long Branch, New Jersey, she grew up in New York City under difficult circumstances, enduring the deaths of her mother and stepmother at a young age and a strained relationship with her father. At 21, Parker began her literary career, selling her first poem to Vanity Fair in 1914.

By 1918, she had become the magazine's drama critic, renowned for her caustic reviews. She co-founded the Algonquin Round Table, a famous literary circle of New York writers, critics, and actors who met daily for lunch at the Algonquin Hotel. Her keen commentary and epigrams quickly made her the group's standout member.

Parker contributed to several publications, including The New Yorker, where she became a star columnist. Her short stories, such as "Big Blonde," won critical acclaim, showcasing her talent for blending humor with deep emotional insight. Despite her professional success, Parker’s personal life was fraught with challenges, including troubled marriages and battles with alcoholism.

Later in life, she became an outspoken advocate for civil rights, willing her estate to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Parker’s legacy endures through her literary work, remembered for its enduring wit and humanity.