John P. Marquand (November 10, 1893 - July 16, 1960) was an American writer renowned for his keen observations of upper-class society. He initially gained fame for his Mr. Moto spy stories but later achieved critical acclaim for his satirical novels, winning the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1938 for ""The Late George Apley."" Marquand's works often explore the restrictive nature of life among the elite and those aspiring to join them, balancing respect and satire in his portrayals. By the mid-1930s, Marquand was a prolific writer for magazines like the Saturday Evening Post, producing short stories that sometimes reflected historical themes. His early novels, including ""The Unspeakable Gentleman"" and ""The Black Cargo,"" were categorized as "costume fiction," a genre he later abandoned. In the late 1930s, he focused on novels addressing class dilemmas, particularly in New England. Notable works include ""Wickford Point"" (1939), ""H.M. Pulham, Esquire"" (1941), and ""Point of No Return"" (1949).