Marjorie Spock
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Marjorie Spock (September 8, 1904, New Haven, Connecticut – January 23, 2008, Sullivan, Maine) was an American environmentalist, writer and poet, best known for her influence on Rachel Carson when the latter was writing Silent Spring. Spock was also a noted Waldorf teacher, eurythmist, biodynamic gardener and anthroposophist.[1]
Marjorie Spock was born the second child and the first daughter of six children. Her father Benjamin Spock was the General Solicitor of the New York, New Haven, and Hartford Railroads,[2] Her older brother was Benjamin Spock, the world-renowned pediatrician and author of The Common Sense Book of Baby and Child Care.
In 1922 at the age of 18, Spock decided to leave her formal education with plans of studying at Smith College, to study Eurythmy, and Anthroposophy in Dornach, Switzerland.[3] Spock studied at the Goetheanum where she met and worked with Rudolf Steiner, the founder of anthroposophy. She was present when the Goetheanum burnt by arson and the pivotal "Christmas Conference" of December 25, 1923 – January 1, 1924 when the Anthroposophical Society was founded.[1] Upon joining the Anthroposophical Society, Spock traveled with Steiner on his lecture cycles throughout Europe.[3]
When she returned to the U.S. in 1930, Spock moved to New York to teach at the Rudolf Steiner School. At 38 Spock received her BA and MA degrees from Columbia University, writing her masters thesis on Waldorf education.[3] Upon receiving her degree, she also taught at Dalton Middle School as well as The Fieldston Lower School and The Waldorf School in New York.[4]
Throughout her career, Spock published multiple books, pamphlets and articles about eurythmy and anthroposophy, including "Teaching as a Lively Art", "Eurythmy", and "Fairy Worlds and Workers: A Natural History of Fairyland",[2] as well as traveled and performed with multiple acting troops.[3] She also worked closely with Ehrenfried Pfeiffer within the biodynamic agriculture movement in the U.S.[1]
Following the lawsuit against the government for the aerial spraying of their farm, Spock and her friend Mary Richards, a eurythmist as well, moved to Maine where they continued to practice biodynamic farming. Spock became a mentor to many young farmers wanting to learn methods of growing biodynamic foods, as well as a leader in the development of community building techniques for the Community Techniques Study Group, intended to combat the divide within the Anthroposophical Society.[3]
Spock died on January 23, 2008, Sullivan, Maine where she lived.[5]
