Eve Merriam was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and attended Cornell as well as the University of Pennsylvania. Merriam was a poet, playwright, and teacher, who wrote more than 50 books of poetry and prose. She is best-known for her controversial book Inner City Mother Goose, which was adapted into the Broadway musical Inner City. Merriam also wrote numerous books of children's poetry and was awarded the National Council of Teachers of English Award for excellence in children's poetry.