George Hodgman, author and editor, passes away at 60

George Hodgman, 60, passed away on Saturday, July 20, at his home in Manhattan. His cousin Molly Roarty stated that the cause was thought to be suicide. Hodgman was an author and well-respected book and magazine editor. He worked as a top editor at Henry Holt & Company, and later at Houghton Mifflin. When Houghton Mifflin restructured in 2011, Hodgman lost his job.

At this time, Hodgman decided to visit his mother during this time, and ended up staying with her to take care of her as she struggled with dementia. These experiences led him to pen the bestselling book “Bettyville”, where Hodgman described how he took care of his mother during this time, while also remembering his childhood. Hodgman pointed out in the novel that he was not allowed to express his homosexuality in his household growing up, and described his later issues with drug addiction.

Hodgman earned a degree in English and magazine journalism from the University of Missouri and went on to earn a master’s degree at Boston College. He is survived by two of his cousins, Mimi Mcroberts and Lucinda Baker.