Margaret Oldroyd Hyde was born in Philadelphia on February 18, 1917, and spent most of her life in the Philadelphia area. She attended Beaver College (now Arcadia University), planning to become a physician, but her parents forbade it. Instead, she attended Columbia University Teacher College and became a science teacher at the Shipley School.

Hyde initially had no interest in writing but her mentor, Dr. Gerald Craig, convinced her to rewrite and update textbooks he had written for sixth-graders. The resulting book, New Ideas in Science (1947), began her long career of science and health writing for adolescents. Her early books focused on science and invention, including titles like Flight Today and Tomorrow (1953), Driving Today and Tomorrow (1954), and Atoms Today and Tomorrow (1955). Later in her career, however, Hyde began to focus more on social issues with titles like Speak Out on Rape (1976), Brainwashing and Other Forms of Mind Control (1977), and Cry Softly: The Story of Child Abuse (1980).

Hyde frequently shared author credit with experts, including a series of books co-written with psychiatrist Elizabeth Forsyth. Hyde also co-wrote six books with her sons. Her later books are part of her 101 series with Forsyth, focusing on topics like drugs, smoking, safe sex, and spirituality for teens. Hyde continues to write and currently lives in Connecticut.

Bibliography:

Children’s Literature Review, vol. 23.

“Margaret O. Hyde.” Contemporary Authors Online. Detroit: Gale, 2008.

Something About the Author, vol. 139.

The Margaret O. Hyde papers include typescripts, galleys, and illustration proofs for her 1953 book Flight Today and Tomorrow, illustrated by Clifford N. Geary.

This collection is arranged in order of probable creation. It is housed in the same box as the Frances Salomon Murphy writings and the Jim Arnosky illustrations.

Publication Information:

Free Library of Philadelphia: Children's Literature Research Collection, March 2012

Finding Aid Author:

Finding aid prepared by Caitlin Goodman

Sponsor:

The processing of this collection was made possible through generous funding from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, administered through the Council on Library and Information Resources’ “Cataloging Hidden Special Collections and Archives” Project.

Access Restrictions:

This collection is open to researchers by appointment. Please contact the Curator for information.

Use Restrictions:

The right of access to material does not imply the right of publication. Permission for reprinting, reproduction, or extensive quotation from the rare books, manuscripts, prints, or drawings must be obtained through written application, stating the use to be made of the material. The reader bears the responsibility for any possible infringement of copyright laws in the publication of such material. A reproduction fee will be charged if the material is to be reproduced in a commercial publication.

Immediate Source of Acquisition:

Gift of Margaret O. Hyde, 1969.

• Galley proofs
• Proofs (printed matter)
• Typescripts

• Geary, Clifford N.

• Children's authors--20th century
• Children's literature--20th century
• Illustrated children's books--20th century
• Illustration of books--20th century