Dorothy Parker

Dorothy Parker (August 22, 1893 – June 7, 1967) was an American poet, short story writer, critic and satirist. She was best known for her epigrams, wit, wisecracks, and her eye for 20th century fads and conceits.

From an unhappy childhood, Parker rose to fame, both for her writing in The New Yorker and as a founding member of the Algonquin Round Table.The Algonquin Round Table was a literary circle which used to lunch at the Algonquin Hotel in midtown Manhattan. After the breakup of the circle, Parker went to Hollywood to do screenwriting. She got two Academy Award nominations for this, but her involvement in left-wing politics put her on the Hollywood blacklist in the 1950s.

She disliked her reputation as a "wisecracker". Nevertheless, her writing and reputation for her sharp wit have endured.

 Sayings of Dorothy 
 Brevity is the soul of lingerie.
 Caption written for Vogue 1916

Men seldom make passesAt girls who wear glasses.
First printed in New York World, (16 August 1925)

 Excuse my dust.
 Her proposed epitaph for herself, quoted in Vanity Fair (June 1925)

 A lady ... with all the poise of the Sphinx though but little of her mystery.
 About a child actress in her review of same, "Just Around Pooh Corner" in The New Yorker (14 March 1931)

 The 'House Beautiful' is, for me, the play lousy.
 Review of "The House Beautiful" by Channing Pollock, New Yorker (21 March 1931)

 Related pages 
List of poets from North America

 References 

Other websites

Category:1893 births
Category:1967 deaths
Category:American poets
Category:Deaths from myocardial infarction
Category:Writers from New Jersey
Category:Writers from New York City
Category:O. Henry Award winners