Mary Ellin Barrett

Who is Mary Ellin Barrett?

Mary Ellin Barrett, oldest daughter of Ellin and composer Irving Berlin, was born on November 25, 1926. She grew up in New York City, where she attended the Brearley School. She then went to Barnard College, majoring in music. After graduation, she began to work for Time Magazine, where she met her future husband, Marvin Barrett. Mary Ellin was the book critic for Cosmopolitan Magazine, where she worked very closely with Helen Gurley Brown.

Barrett is the author of three novels: Castle Ugly was published in 1966, followed by An Accident of Love in 1973 and American Beauty in 1981. Her most recent publication is a memoir entitled Irving Berlin: a Daughter's Memoir, which was released in May 1995.

Barrett currently resides in New York City.