William March

Born September 18, 1893, in Mobile, Alabama

William March (September 18, 1893 – May 15, 1954) was born in Mobile, Alabama, and was the second of 11 children. His father worked in the timber business, and the family moved frequently. March was interested in music, drama and writing as a boy, but the family was unable to support him in his efforts. At 16, he got a job in a law office in Mobile to earn money for school. He spent a year studying at Valparaiso University in Indiana, and a year at the University of Alabama studying law. He took a job as a legal clerk in New York City in 1916. In 1917, when the U.S. entered World War I, March enlisted as a private in the Marine Corps. He served in France, was wounded, and earned three medals for bravery. Although he recovered physically, his psychological wounds from the experience remained with him.

March returned to Mobile after leaving the Marine Corps and began working for the Waterman Steamship Company. He rose quickly through the ranks and traveled frequently on Waterman Company business, including an extended stay in Europe. He eventually settled in New York City. He began writing seriously in 1928 as a form of self-therapy. His first short story, "The Holly Wreath," was published in 1929. He chose William March as a pen name, since March was his mother’s maiden name. Company K, his first novel, was published in 1933. March continued to work and travel for Waterman until 1938, when he resigned to write full-time. He lived and wrote in New York until he suffered a mental breakdown in 1947. His friends took him back to Mobile to recover, and he divided his time between Mobile and New Orleans until 1952, when he settled permanently in New Orleans. He died there in 1954, shortly after the publication of The Bad Seed. The novel became an instant best-seller and was widely praised by critics for its unrelenting use of suspense and horror. Although March lived long enough to see the critical praise bestowed upon the novel, he died before the novel's full impact was realized. The Bad Seed went on to sell over a million copies, was nominated for the 1955 National Book Award, was adapted into a successful and long-running Broadway play by Maxwell Anderson, and an Academy Award-nominated film directed by Mervyn Leroy.