Elsa Maxwell | |
|---|---|
 Maxwell photographed by Carl van Vechten in 1935 | |
| Born | May 24, 1883 Keokuk, Iowa, U.S. |
| Died | November 1, 1963 (aged 80) New York City, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Gossip columnist, author, songwriter, hostess, screenwriter, radio personality |
Elsa Maxwell (May 24, 1883 – November 1, 1963) was an American gossip columnist and author, songwriter, screenwriter, radio personality and professional hostess renowned for her parties for royalty and high society figures of her day.
Maxwell is credited with the introduction of the scavenger hunt and treasure hunt for use as party games in the modern era.[1] Her radio program, Elsa Maxwell's Party Line, began in 1942; she also wrote a syndicated gossip column. She appeared as herself in the films Stage Door Canteen (1943) and Rhapsody in Blue (1945), as well as co-starring in the film Hotel for Women (1939), for which she wrote the screenplay and a song.
- ^ "The Press: Elsa at War". Time. November 7, 1944. Archived from the original on March 10, 2007.