Margaret Truman Daniel

Margaret Truman Daniel
Name	Margaret Truman Daniel
Caption	Margaret Truman in 1947
Birth name	Mary Margaret Truman
Birth date	17 February 1924
Birth place	Independence, Missouri, U.S.
Death date	29 January 2008
Death place	Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Occupation	Singer, author, radio/television personality
Spouse	Clifton Daniel, 1956, 2000
Parents	Harry S. Truman, Bess Truman
Relatives	Clifton Truman Daniel (grandson)

Margaret Truman Daniel was an American singer, author, and media personality, best known as the only child of U.S. President Harry S. Truman and First Lady Bess Truman. Her public life, from her youth in the White House to her successful career as a writer of mystery novels and works of historical non-fiction, made her a prominent figure in 20th-century American culture. Her legacy is preserved through her literary works and her role in chronicling the history of the Truman administration.

Early life and family

Mary Margaret Truman was born in Independence, Missouri, to Harry S. Truman, then a Jackson County judge, and his wife, Bess Truman. She spent her formative years in Independence, where her father's political career progressed from the United States Senate to the Vice Presidency in 1945. Her life changed dramatically upon the death of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, when her father assumed the presidency and the family moved to the White House in Washington, D.C.. As the president's daughter, she was thrust into the national spotlight, with her activities frequently covered by the Washington press corps and national publications like *Time*.

Education and early career

She attended Gunston Hall School in Washington, D.C., before graduating from George Washington University with a degree in history. Her early professional ambition was in music, and she pursued a career as a coloratura soprano. She performed as a soloist with orchestras such as the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and the National Symphony Orchestra, and appeared on popular radio programs of the era. A famously critical review of her 1950 concert at Constitution Hall by music critic Paul Hume of *The Washington Post* provoked a famously fiery written response from President Truman, defending his daughter and creating a national news story.

Marriage and family life

In 1956, she married Clifton Daniel, a journalist who later became managing editor of *The New York Times*. The wedding took place at Trinity Episcopal Church in Independence. The couple settled in New York City and had four sons: Clifton, William, Harrison, and Thomas. Her family life was centered in Manhattan, though she maintained strong ties to her parents' home in Missouri, particularly after her father's retirement to the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum in Independence.

Writing and media career

After her singing career, she established herself as a successful author and media figure. She hosted the radio program *Weekday* on the NBC Radio Network and made frequent television appearances. She authored several best-selling books, beginning with a biography of her father, *Harry S. Truman*, in 1972. She later found great commercial success with a series of murder mystery novels set in iconic Washington, D.C., landmarks like the White House, the Supreme Court, and the Smithsonian Institution. She also wrote non-fiction works on the history of the White House and the First Ladies of the United States.

Later life and death

In her later years, she remained active in literary and historical circles, often participating in events related to the Truman Library. She was a trustee of the Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation and supported various cultural institutions. Margaret Truman Daniel died of natural causes in 2008 in Chicago, where she had moved to be near her sons. Her funeral service was held at the same church where she was married in Independence, and she was interred at the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum.

Legacy and honors

Her legacy is multifaceted, encompassing her contributions to American literature, her stewardship of her family's historical record, and her unique perspective as a presidential child. Her mystery series remains popular, offering fictionalized insights into the power structures of the United States capital. She received numerous honors, including an honorary doctorate from her alma mater, George Washington University. The Margaret Truman Daniel Collection at the Truman Library houses her papers and manuscripts, preserving her work for scholars and the public.

Category:American biographers Category:American mystery writers Category:Children of presidents of the United States Category:20th-century American singers