Jean kerr biography
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Walter Francis Kerr--drama critic, playwright, director, author, and professor--was born on July 8, 1913 in Evanston, Illinois. His active interest in the performing arts began at an early age. At thirteen, he received his first job as film reviewer and editor for the junior section of the weekly Evanston Review. While a student at St. George High School, he was promoted to regular film critic for that newspaper, and later filled the same position for the daily Evanston News Index. In addition, he was editor of the school newspaper and yearbook, member of the dramatic club, and a writer for the sports pages of other newspapers.
After graduation from high school, Kerr was awarded a scholarship to De Paul University in Chicago, and he attended school there from 1931 to 1933. Those were Depression years, however, and the young student was forced to drop out of school and seek employment. He worked for the Fox Film Company for two years.
By 1935, conditions had improved sufficiently f
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Jean Kerr was born Bridge Jean Collins on July 10, 1923, in Scranton, Pennsylvania. Her parents were Thomas and Kitty Collins. During her childhood, she determined her life's goal was "to be able to sleep until noon." She realized that her own temperament was unsuited to such habits. In the meantime, Jean Collins proceeded with her education, earning her BA at Marywood College (now University) in 1943 and an MFAfrom Catholic University in 1945. At Catholic University she met Professor Walter Kerr, a drama critic and future Pulitzer Prize winner. The couple married on August 9, 1943. They had one daughter, Katharine, and five sons: Christopher, Colin, John, Gilbert, and Gregory. After the burgeoning family moved to the New York suburbs, they became fodder for Jean Kerr's stories.
Jean Kerr began her writing during her MFA years at Catholic University, in part because of requirements of the program, in part because of her nature, and in part out of necessity. She and husband found li
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Jean Kerr
Irish-American author and playwright
Jean Kerr (born Bridget jean Collins; July 10, 1922[2] – January 5, 2003)[a] was an American author and playwright who authored the 1957 bestseller Please Don't Eat the Daisies[b] and the plays King of Hearts in 1954 and Mary, Mary in 1961.
Early life and education
[edit]Kerr was born on July 10, 1922,[4] in Scranton, Pennsylvania to Irish immigrant parents Tom and Kitty Collins,[5] and grew up on Electric Street in Scranton.[6][7] She attended Marywood Seminary, the topic of her humorous short story "When I was Queen of the May." She received a bachelor's degree from Marywood College in Scranton and attended The Catholic University of America, where she received her master's degree in 1945.[2]
A nunna at Marywood persuaded her to drop her first name, because "only Irish washerwomen are named Biddie".[8]
Career
[edit]The