Esther Forbes
Encyclopedia
Esther Louise Forbes was an American novelist, historian
and
children's writer who received the Pulitzer Prize
and the Newbery Medal
.
, the fifth of six children born to Harriette Merrifield and William Trowbridge Forbes. After attending school in Wisconsin
, Forbes served as a member of the editorial staff at Houghton Mifflin Company
in Boston. Her first novel, Oh Genteel Lady!, was published in 1926 and was made a selection by the then newly formed Book-of-the-Month Club. She married Albert Hoskins in 1926. They were divorced in 1933.
By 1938 Forbes had published a number of books, and first received critical and public acclaim for her novel, A Mirror for Witches
, which was produced in several other formats (e.g., theatrical) and has never been out of print. Forbes' 1942 biography Paul Revere and the World He Lived In put her even more firmly in the spotlight and subsequently brought her the Pulitzer Prize for History
. Her novel Johnny Tremain
(1943), about the life of a young silversmith apprentice in Boston in the early 1770s, won the 1944 Newbery Medal and remains one of the most highly acclaimed books for young adults.
Forbes died in 1967, at age 76 in Worcester, Massachusetts
.
Historian
A historian is a person who studies and writes about the past and is regarded as an authority on it. Historians are concerned with the continuous, methodical narrative and research of past events as relating to the human race; as well as the study of all history in time. If the individual is...
and
children's writer who received the Pulitzer Prize
Pulitzer Prize
The Pulitzer Prize is a U.S. award for achievements in newspaper and online journalism, literature and musical composition. It was established by American publisher Joseph Pulitzer and is administered by Columbia University in New York City...
and the Newbery Medal
Newbery Medal
The John Newbery Medal is a literary award given by the Association for Library Service to Children, a division of the American Library Association . The award is given to the author of the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children. The award has been given since 1922. ...
.
Life
Forbes was born in Westborough, MassachusettsWestborough, Massachusetts
Westborough is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 18,272 at the 2010 census. The town is governed under the New England open town meeting system, headed by a five member elected Board of Selectmen whose duties include licensing, appointing various...
, the fifth of six children born to Harriette Merrifield and William Trowbridge Forbes. After attending school in Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
, Forbes served as a member of the editorial staff at Houghton Mifflin Company
Houghton Mifflin
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt is an educational and trade publisher in the United States. Headquartered in Boston's Back Bay, it publishes textbooks, instructional technology materials, assessments, reference works, and fiction and non-fiction for both young readers and adults.-History:The company was...
in Boston. Her first novel, Oh Genteel Lady!, was published in 1926 and was made a selection by the then newly formed Book-of-the-Month Club. She married Albert Hoskins in 1926. They were divorced in 1933.
By 1938 Forbes had published a number of books, and first received critical and public acclaim for her novel, A Mirror for Witches
A Mirror for Witches
A Mirror for Witches is a 1928 novel by American author Esther Forbes, dealing with the witch hunt in 17th Century New England. The book is still popular and is in print. It has also been adapted for the stage...
, which was produced in several other formats (e.g., theatrical) and has never been out of print. Forbes' 1942 biography Paul Revere and the World He Lived In put her even more firmly in the spotlight and subsequently brought her the Pulitzer Prize for History
Pulitzer Prize for History
The Pulitzer Prize for History has been awarded since 1917 for a distinguished book upon the history of the United States. Many history books have also been awarded the Pulitzer Prize for General Non-Fiction and Pulitzer Prize for Biography or Autobiography...
. Her novel Johnny Tremain
Johnny Tremain
Johnny Tremain is a 1944 children's novel by Esther Forbes set in Boston prior to and during the outbreak of the American Revolution. The novel's themes include apprenticeship, courtship, sacrifice, human rights, and the growing tension between Whigs and Tories as conflict nears...
(1943), about the life of a young silversmith apprentice in Boston in the early 1770s, won the 1944 Newbery Medal and remains one of the most highly acclaimed books for young adults.
Forbes died in 1967, at age 76 in Worcester, Massachusetts
Worcester, Massachusetts
Worcester is a city and the county seat of Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. Named after Worcester, England, as of the 2010 Census the city's population is 181,045, making it the second largest city in New England after Boston....
.
Quotations
Works
- Oh Genteel Lady! (1926)
- A Mirror for WitchesA Mirror for WitchesA Mirror for Witches is a 1928 novel by American author Esther Forbes, dealing with the witch hunt in 17th Century New England. The book is still popular and is in print. It has also been adapted for the stage...
(1928) - Miss Marvel (1935 historical about a Worcester family)
- Paradise (1937)
- The General's Lady (1938 historical novel about Bathsheba SpoonerBathsheba SpoonerBathsheba Ruggles Spooner was the first woman to be executed in the United States by Americans rather than the British....
) - Paul Revere and the World He Lived In (1942 biography)
- Johnny TremainJohnny TremainJohnny Tremain is a 1944 children's novel by Esther Forbes set in Boston prior to and during the outbreak of the American Revolution. The novel's themes include apprenticeship, courtship, sacrifice, human rights, and the growing tension between Whigs and Tories as conflict nears...
(1943 YA novel) - The Boston Book (1947 pictorial essay)
- America's Paul Revere (1948 pictorial essay)
- The Running of the Tide (1948)
- Rainbow on the Road (1954)