GLADYS SCHMITT was born in Pittsburgh in 1909. She was awarded a B.A. as well as an honorary Doctor of Letters degree from the University of Pittsburgh. Schmitt was the author of eleven novels, including David the King, Rembrandt, and The Godforgotten, which were translated into many languages and sold millions of copies. She was Thomas Stockham Baker Professor of Literature at Carnegie Mellon University, where she founded the Creative Writing Program and was a member of the faculty for thirty years. Among other honors, she was awarded Carnegie Mellon's Ryan Award for Meritorious Teaching. She died on October 3, 1972.