[1][2] She is a granddaughter of the American religious figure William Henry Gilder.

She is also a granddaughter of the famous naval officer George Coleman de Kay.

She was raised in New York City[3] in artistic surroundings, and met such figures as Mark Twain, Jacob Riis, and Eleonora Duse.

She began contributing articles to Theatre Arts Monthly during the 1920s, and joined its staff in 1936.

She spearheaded the production of numerous theatrical publications, and published articles and books on dramatic subjects as well.