Margaret Allen was born in Oak Park, Illinois on October 19, 1898.  She received her public school education in Illinois and Wisconsin.  She began her college career at Oberlin College (1915 – 1918), but received her A.B. degree from Wisconsin University in 1919 in t he field of English Education and Drama.  Her Graduate studies where done at Columbia University and Stanford University, where she received her M.A. degree in 1957.

In 1944 Margaret Allen was appointed an Instructor in Piano and continued as Associate Professor of Music until her retirement in1966.  She was a published author and during her time spent in Berea she initiated renovations and redecoration of listening rooms, meeting spaces, furniture and instruments for the music hall.  Mrs. Allen donated the Holtzkamp Organ in Gray Auditorium.  In 1950 she founded the Windswept Music Workshop.

Mrs. Allen was a member of the Unitarian Church. She was survived by her daughter, Katheryn Allen Taylor; her son, John Milton Allen; a sister, Dr.  Helen Belknap; and eight grandchildren.