Antin, Mary (1881–1949)

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Antin, Mary (1881–1949)

Russian-born writer. Name variations: Mary Antin Grabau. Born June 13, 1881, in Polotzk (Poltzk, Polotsk), Russia; died in Suffern, NY, May 15, 1949; educated at Teachers College and Barnard College of Columbia University; m. Amadeus W. Grabau (professor of paleontology), Oct 1901; children: 1 daughter.

Immigrated to US with family (1894); wrote 1st book From Plotzk to Boston in Yiddish (1899); came to prominence with autobiographical book The Promised Land (1912), which was 1st serialized in the Atlantic Monthly and dealt with the immigrant experience in America; lectured about immigration (1913–18); also spoke on behalf of the Progressive Party and campaigned against bills in Congress that restricted immigration; next book They Who Knock at Our Gates (1914) also dealt with the foreign experience.

See also Women in World History.

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