http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0932087523/?tag=2022091-20
1996
Mary Smart was born on December 26, 1915, in Lyons, New York, United States, into the family of R. Spencer and Tusanelda (Nusbickel) Simpson. Her father founded the Lyons Hospital and ran it for 35 years. Her mother, also a Wellesley College graduate — in 1904 — was an active community member and suffragette.
In 1937 Mary received Bachelor of Arts at Wellesley College.
At Wellesley, Smart served as editor of the Wellesley Review — it proved to be prescient of her lifelong interest in writing. After her 1937 graduation she spent a summer learning shorthand before heading to New York City to work for Time Inc. as a secretary. She also worked for two well-known playwrights of that era, Clifford Odets and Zoe Akins.
Smart worked her way up from the steno pool to a permanent gig in the front office and was secretary to William Dozier, a producer who bought stories and hired writers — and was executive producer and narrator of the “Batman” television series. She worked in New York City and Los Angeles, including a stint as the personal secretary to actress Joan Fontaine. As Fontaine’s secretary, Smart also served as her personal shopper and social manager.
Mary left the life of Hollywood in 1948 when her father suffered a cerebral hemorrhage, returning home to Lyons to help her mother care for him. She’s been here ever since. At that time her sustaining project for many years was the research and writing associated with her book, “A Flight with Fame: The Life and Art of Frederick MacMonnies.” It was published in 1996 by Sound View Press when Smart was 81 years old.
The greatest clue to Smart’s longevity may lie in her optimism and positive attitude.
On November 4, 1949 Mary married William J. Smart, with whom she has two children: Stuart Spencer Smart and Sarah Robinson Smart.
