Barbara Louise Mertz ( eng. Barbara Louise Mertz ; September 29, 1927 - August 8, 2013) - American writer, archaeologist, Egyptologist. She wrote under her own name, and also under the pseudonym Elizabeth Peters ( Elizabeth Peters ) and Barbara Michaels ( Barbara Michaels ). In 1952, she received a doctorate in Egyptology from the University of Chicago . The author of two popular science books about ancient Egypt, reprinted in different languages (as well as books about the history of Rome in collaboration with her husband, 1968). However, it is better known for its gothic thrillers and series of light detectives.
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| Awards | Edgar Allan Poe Award |
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Content
Biography
Barbara Mertz was born on September 29, 1927 in the small town of Canton, Illinois. At the age of 4, she moved with her parents to Chicago. She graduated from the Oriental Institute of the University of Chicago, earning a bachelor’s degree in 1947, a master’s degree in 1950, and a doctorate degree in Egyptology in 1952 [5] after studying with John A. Wilson [6] .
Her two non-fiction books about ancient Egypt - "Temples, Tombs, Hieroglyphs" (1964) and "Red Earth, Black Earth" (1966) - are still being republished (and translated into Russian). Since 1966, she wrote and artistic works.
She was a member of the editorial advisory board of the KMT journal (“Kemet: Modern Journal of Ancient Egypt”), the Society for the Study of Egypt, and the James Henry Brested Mug at the Oriental Institute of the University of Chicago [7] .
Under the name Barbara Michaels, she wrote primarily gothic and supernatural thrillers . The pseudonym was taken at the suggestion of its publisher in order to make it easier for the reader to choose between the scientific and artistic books of the author. All were released about 30 Gothic novels. Under the pseudonym Elizabeth Peters, composed of the names of her two children, Mertz wrote in the style of a “cozy” and historical detective story since 1968, developing three main series with various heroines: archaeologist Amelia Peabody, art historian Vicki Bliss and librarian Jacqueline Kerby.
Mertz was also a feminist and often raised relevant topics in both her fiction and professional activities. Mertz founded Malice Domestic, a Washington-based organization for detective writers [8] . She also founded a scholarship for writers at Hood College [9] .
She was married to Richard Mertz for 19 years (1950-1969), but the marriage ended in divorce [10] . They had two children - Peter and Elizabeth Mertz [11] , who is a well-known anthropologist.
Mertz died at her home in Maryland on August 8, 2013. [12]
Awards
For her fruitful work, Mertz received a number of awards and nominations, as well as the title of Grand Master of the American Association of Detective Literature. Her first recognition came when her Trojan Gold was nominated for the 1988 Anthony Award in the Best Romance category [13] , and the following year Naked Once More won the 1989 Agatha Award in the same category. [14] . In 2012, she was awarded the first award by Amelia Peabody, named after the main character of her long-term series [15] .
Notes
- ↑ 1 2 Encyclopædia Britannica
- ↑ 1 2 SNAC - 2010.
- ↑ 1 2 Internet Speculative Fiction Database - 1995.
- B BNF ID : Open Data Platform - 2011.
- ↑ Langer, Emily. "Barbara Mertz, writer of Barbara Michaels and Elizabeth Peters, dies at 85." (August 9, 2013). The appeal date is November 28, 2016.
- ↑ McQuiston. Letters: Egyptian Erudition . New York Review of Books (October 11, 1979). The appeal date is March 9, 2012.
- ↑ (Barbara Mertz / Elizabeth Peters / Barbara Michaels) Biography in her own words . mpmbooks.com . The appeal date is November 28, 2016. Archived January 19, 2009.
- Мер Mertz's daughter Beth Mertz, quoted by Karen Gardner, “The author Barbara Mertz gives her fans a parting gift” , “Frederick” , July 22, 2017
- ↑ Karen Gardner, “The author Barbara Mertz gives her fans a farewell gift,” Frederick , July 22, 2017.
- ↑ Ripley. Barbara Mertz obituary . The Guardian . Guardian News and Media, Ltd .. The date of appeal is July 15, 2017.
- ↑ Slotnick. Barbara Mertz, Egyptologist and Mystery Writer, Dies at 85 . The New York Times . The date of circulation is July 15, 2017.
- ↑ Tolin . Barbara Mertz Dead: Mystery Writer Dies At 85 , Huffington Post (August 8, 2013). Archived August 9, 2013. The appeal date is November 28, 2016.
- ↑ Bouchercon World Mystery Convention: Anthony Awards Nominees . Bouchercon.info (October 2, 2003). The appeal date is March 9, 2012. Archived on February 7, 2012.
- ↑ Malice Domestic Convention - Bethesda, MD . Malicedomestic.org (August 23, 1988). The appeal date is March 9, 2012. Archived April 12, 2010.
- ↑ Ron Charles. For mystery writer 85th birthday, Barbara Mertz's friends Egypt (September 30, 2012). The date of appeal is November 28, 2016. "Malice Domestic Holidays, recently known as her recurring heroine, Amelia Peabody"
Links
- mpmbooks.com - the official website of Barbara Mertz
- Barbara Michaels
- Elizabeth Peters
- Amelia Peabody