Mary Pettibone Poole

Mary Pettibone Poole (1870–1940) was an American poet and writer remembered chiefly for the inspirational poem “The House by the Side of the Road.” The piece—often quoted for its call to live helpfully and hospitably—has been widely anthologized and is frequently attributed to her. Poole’s reputation rests largely on this enduring work, which has circulated for decades in quotation collections, sermons, and popular recitations. Beyond that signature poem, comparatively little is widely documented in standard reference sources about her broader literary output or personal life. Her lasting place in American popular verse comes from the poem’s simple moral vision and memorable lines.