Don Marquis was born on July 29, 1878 in Walnut, Illinois. He grew up with a passion for writing, and by the time he was a teenager, he was already composing poems and stories. After graduating from high school, Marquis attended Knox College in Galesburg, Illinois, where he continued to hone his writing skills.
After college, Marquis moved to St. Louis and began working as a journalist. He landed a job as an editorial writer for The St. Louis Globe-Democrat, where he quickly gained recognition for his wit and humor. It was during this time that he began writing his famous newspaper columns, "Archy and Mehitabel."
Perhaps Marquis' most enduring creations, Archy and Mehitabel were a cockroach and a cat, respectively, who had a witty and philosophical friendship. Archy, a former poet reincarnated as a cockroach, would type out his musings on a typewriter each night, while Mehitabel, a streetwise alley cat, provided comic relief and practical wisdom. The columns were beloved by readers for their humor and insight into human nature.
In addition to Archy and Mehitabel, Marquis also created the character of "the Old Soak," a lovable but perpetually drunk man who served as the basis for several books, a play, and two films. The Old Soak was a bumbling yet endearing character who endeared himself to readers with his humorous antics and relatable struggles.
Marquis continued to write and publish his works throughout his life, even as he faced personal tragedy. After the death of his first wife, Reina Melcher, Marquis married actress Marjorie Potts Vonnegut. Despite his personal losses, Marquis' writing remained as sharp and witty as ever, delighting audiences with his clever wordplay and insightful observations.
Don Marquis passed away on December 29, 1937, but his legacy as a poet, author, and journalist lives on. His creations, from Archy and Mehitabel to The Old Soak, continue to entertain and inspire readers of all ages. Marquis' unique blend of humor, wit, and wisdom has cemented his place as one of the great literary figures of the 20th century.