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MARGARET DELAND (1857 - 1945). American novelist, short-story writer, and poet. She also wrote an autobiography in two volumes.

Born in Pennsylvania, she married Lorin F. Deland, Harvard foot ball coach. They took in and supported unmarried mothers. During this period she began to write. Her poetry collection The Old Garden was published in 1886. Deland received a Litterary Degree from Bates College in 1920.

She is known principally for the novel John Ward, Preacher (1888), and her Old Chester books, based on her early memories of Maple Grove and Manchester, Pittsburgh communities where she grew up.

SOME OF HER QUOTES FOLLOW: Nobody who is somebody looks down on anybody. You can't have genius without patience. A sneer is like a flame; it may occasionally be curative because it cauterizes, but it leaves a bitter scar.

The four stanza poem, entitled Written for Carrie's daisies April 4th 1887 is accomplished in Deland's hand in sepia ink. It is signed BOLDLY in black ink. The 4 3/8 x 6 1/8" page is laid in on a sturdy white album page. The signature, a seperate cut, has been laid at the bottom of the poem.

In excellent condition, with a correction on the second line of the third stanza (made by Deland), this poem may have been written for one of the girls who lived with Deland & her husband!