Born in Walnut, Illinois, Don Marquis was the author of over 35 books. His columns, illustrations and essays were published in various magazines including Saturday Evening Post, Collier’s, Harper’s, Scribner’s, Golden Book, and Cosmopolitan. He is remembered best for creating the characters “Archy” and “Mehitabel,” an alley cat and a cockroach who are the supposed authors of humorous verse.
In 1943, the United States Navy christened a Liberty ship, the USS Don Marquis, in his memory. Marquis lived in this house at the start of his journalistic career while working at the Washington Post. This structure’s survival in the midst of highrises was a delight to find.
His works include the plays The Dark Hours (1924), Out of the Sea (1927), Master of the Revels (1934), Everything’s Jake (produced posthumously in 1978) and the books, The Awakening (1924), Pandora Lifts the Lid (1924), archy and mehitabel (1927), Love Sonnets of a Cave Man (1928), archys life of mehitabel (1933), and archy does his part (1935).
The Homes
1224 13th St. NW, Washington, DC
Don Marquis
1224 13th St. NW
Located in Thomas Circle neighborhood, Northwest - East of Rock Creek