History of Catherine Marshall in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: April 20, 2026

Catherine Marshall (1914-1983) was a prominent American author celebrated for her inspirational and fiction works. She gained significant recognition as the wife of Peter Marshall, a renowned Presbyterian minister and chaplain of the United States Senate. Following her husband's untimely death, Catherine dedicated herself to writing, producing best-selling books such as "A Man Called Peter," a biography of her late husband, and the novel "Christy." Her writings often explored themes of faith, healing, and the power of prayer, resonating with a wide audience and establishing her as a leading voice in inspirational literature.

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Full Timeline

September 27, 1914: Catherine Marshall's Birth

On September 27, 1914, Catherine Sarah Wood Marshall LeSourd was born. She later became a noted American author known for her inspirational and fiction works.

1914: Birth in Johnson City

In 1914, Catherine Marshall was born in Johnson City, Tennessee, as the daughter of Reverend John Ambrose Wood and Leonora Whitaker Wood.

1924: Move to Keyser, West Virginia

In 1924, Catherine Marshall moved to Keyser, West Virginia, at the age of nine. Her father became the pastor of a Presbyterian church there.

1936: Marriage to Peter Marshall

In 1936, Catherine Marshall married Peter Marshall, whom she had met while a junior at Agnes Scott College. Following their marriage in 1936, the couple relocated to Washington, D.C.

1940: Contracted Tuberculosis

In 1940, Catherine Marshall contracted tuberculosis, a disease for which no antibiotic treatment was available at the time, leading to a nearly three-year recovery period.

1942: Father's departure from Keyser Church

In 1942, Catherine Marshall's father ceased serving as pastor of the Presbyterian church in Keyser, West Virginia, where he had been since 1924.

1949: Peter Marshall's Death

In 1949, Peter Marshall, Catherine Marshall's husband, died of a heart attack. This event left her to care for their nine-year-old son, Peter John Marshall.

1951: Publication of "A Man Called Peter"

In 1951, Catherine Marshall published a biography of her husband titled "A Man Called Peter". The book became a nationwide success.

March 30, 1955: Appeared on "I've Got a Secret"

On March 30, 1955, Catherine Marshall appeared as a contestant on the CBS television program, "I've Got a Secret".

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1955: "A Man Called Peter" Film Adaptation

In 1955, Catherine Marshall's biography, "A Man Called Peter", was adapted into a film of the same name. The success of both the book and the film encouraged her to continue writing.

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1959: Marriage to Leonard LeSourd

In 1959, Catherine Marshall married Leonard LeSourd, the editor of Guideposts Magazine. Together they also founded a book imprint called Chosen Books.

1967: Publication of "Christy"

In 1967, Catherine Marshall published her novel, "Christy". The novel was inspired by her mother's experiences teaching impoverished children in Appalachia.