Marjorie Adams graduated from Smith College in 1922, studied at Wellesley 1923-29, and earned her M.A. from Middlebury College in 1932. She worked as assistant to the principal in Rochester, VT, 1922-23 and as assistant director of physical education at the Burnham School (Greenfield, Mass.), 1924-55. Adams taught at Iowa State Teachers' College as an instructor, 1926-28 and as a professor, 1929-31. She was also an assistant at Wellesley, 1928-29. From 1932 on, she worked as a high school French teacher in Burlington, VT. Adams was an avid skier and hiker and a member of the Green Mountain Club.