John Phillips Marquand (1893–1960) was an American writer best remembered these days for his mysteries and espionage stories, particularly the Mr. Moto series. In his day, however, he achieved popular success and critical respect for his satirical contemporary novels about American elites, winning a Pulitzer Prize for The Late George Apley in 1938. One of his abiding themes was the confining nature of life in America"s upper class and among those who aspired to join it. Marquand treated those whose lives were bound by these unwritten codes with a characteristic mix of respect and mockery. Ironically, he was to join the upper classes himself, becoming related by marriage to the Rockefellers (his sister-in-law was married to John D. Rockefeller III).
The Late George ApleyBefore gaining accl
