Name: MERRITT, Abraham Aged: 59
Born: January 20, 1884 Where: Beverly, New Jersey
Died: August 21, 1943 Where: Indian Rocks Beach, Florida
Interred: _ _ _
Married 1: Eleanore Ratcliffe When: _ _ _
Married 2: Eleanor Humphrey Johnson When: _ _ _
Awarded: 1999 inductee in the Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame

...began his career in newspapers. Started as a reporter in 1902 for the Philadelphia Inquirer and moved up to the night city editor position. In 1911, Merritt went to work as associate editor for The American Weekly. After 26 years on that job, the editor, Morrill Goddard died, and William Randolph Hearst appointed Merritt to take his place. Thru the years, Merritt edited by day and wrote by night.

Two notable works were Face in the Abyss and The Ship of Ishtar. 1933's Burn, Witch, Burn! was adapted as the film Devil-Doll in 1936.

Merritt also loved exotic plants, especially rare and poisonous ones. He maintained a garden at his home. He had journeyed to Central America in early manhood and became familiar with the effects of plants in the jungle. Among Merritt's prizes were mandrake, monkshood, and datura along with Peruvian daffodils, Mexican shell lilies, and African trumpets. Merritt wrote articles on botany.

PEN NAMES: W. Fenimore

BIBLIOGRAPHY: Mine here.

BIOGRAPHY: Who Was Who in America Vol II, p370
and Science Fiction Writers, Scribners 1982

OBITUARY: Associated Press, Saturday, August 21, 1943

George C. Willick, 514 East Street, Madison, IN 47250