for the similarly-named journalist, see Margaret Carlson

Margaret Carson (July 11, 1911 — October 11, 2007) was an American publicist who was highly influential within the classical music world. She was a publicist for many important artists during her lengthy career, most notably working closely for several decades with Leonard Bernstein. She also notably served as the Metropolitan Opera's press director during the tenure of Edward Johnson and into the early portion of Rudolf Bing's career at the Met.^[1] The New York Times stated that, Carson was "widely regarded as the leading lady of classical music publicists in New York, who guided a generation of singers through the Metropolitan Opera and shepherded the career of Leonard Bernstein."^[2]

[edit] Biography

Born in Salt Lake City, Utah, Carson's father was the owner of a local department store in that city. In 1920, at the age of nine, she moved with her family to Ohio where she lived for the rest of her youth. She entered the University of Toledo where she earned a bachelors degree. She went on to earn a Masters degree from Ohio State University and around this time married her first husband, Charles Carson.^[2]

After divorcing her first husband in the early 1940s, Carson moved to New York City where she began working as a press agent. In 1944 she became the press director of the Metropolitan Opera, serving in that capacity for over the next decade. She also handled press relations for novelist Theodore Dreiser, poet Ezra Pound, and the American Academy of Arts and Letters during the 1940s.^[2]

Carson continued to remain active as a publicist up until her death, often working closely with colleague Edgar Vincent. Her most important client was undeniably Leonard Bernstein, with whom she enjoyed a close personal friendship as well as productive professional relationship. After his death in 1990, she remained a consultant to his production company.^[2] She also enjoyed long professional associations with conductor Michael Tilson Thomas and jazz musician Benny Goodman.^[1]

Carson died in New York City in 2007. She was married three times during her life. Her second marriage was to press agent Carl N. Ruff and her third marriage was to journalist Robert Sherrod (1961-1972). Like her first marriage, her other marriages ended in divorce. She had two children: a daughter from her second marriage, Carla Ruff, and a son from her first marriage, Charles Ruff (adopted by Mr. Ruff). Her son was a prominent American lawyer who became chief White House counsel for President Bill Clinton, notably arguing for the President during his Senate impeachment trial in 1999. She also had three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.^[2]

[edit] References