Frederic G. Melcher
Encyclopedia
Frederic G. Melcher was an American publisher, bookseller, editor and major contributor to the library science field and book industry. He is particularly known for his contributions to the children’s book genre, including the Newbery Medal
and Caldecott Medal
. Melcher was named as one of the most important 100 leaders in the library science field in the 20th century in an American Libraries
article and has been described as “the greatest all-round bookman in the English-speaking world.”
Melcher was born in 1879 in Malden, Massachusetts
, a suburb on the north side of Boston
. In 1883, the family moved to Newton Center, another Boston suburb. A 1945 essay describes his childhood growing up near a lake, fishing, ice skating and swimming. He was also an avid reader from a young age, making many visits to the library, as well as enjoying books passed on or gifted from friends and family.
It was during his time at Estes and Lauriat that he first developed his interest in children’s books. He worked to develop the children’s collection of the books store with help of Caroline Hewins, a New England librarian who also had interests in developing and promoting children’s books. He later established The Caroline M. Hewins Lectureship on New England children’s books in 1947. In 1910, he married Marguerite Fellows, an author of children’s books. In 1912, Melcher became president of the Boston Booksellers League. He was very active in the Boston book trade and was described as “an energetic and agreeable bookseller who knew books thoroughly.” His reputation as an enthusiastic and knowledgeable salesman resulted in his recommendation for a position running the W.K. Stewart Bookstore in Indianapolis, Indiana in 1913.
During his five years in Indiana, Melcher managed the W.K. Stewart Bookstore, which survived a flood but not a later fire which resulted in a total loss of the store and a new location. He was also active in the Indiana public Libraries Association and promoted material relating regional history.
He remained with R.R. Bowker for 45 years, becoming president in 1934. While at Publishers Weekly, Melcher began creating space in the publication and a number of issues dedicated solely to books for children. In 1919, he teamed with Franklin K. Mathiews, librarian for the Boy Scouts of America
, and Anne Carroll Moore, a librarian at the New York Public Library
, to create Children’s Book Week.
Melcher proposed the Newbery Medal
in 1922, an annual award for “the most distinguished book for children.” Melcher suggested that the award be named after John Newbery
, a British bookseller known for his contributions to the children’s book industry. Melcher recruited Rene Paul Chambellan
to design the award. Although the award had hearty support, Melcher also drew extensively upon his own funds for the creation of the medal.
Melcher proposed the Caldecott Medal
in 1937 to honor children’s picture books. Named for British illustrator Randolph Caldecott
, the medal is presented annually for the “most distinguished picture book for children.”
In 1945, Melcher had worked in the book industry for 50 years. A celebration was held in his honor at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel
in New York
. A collection of essays about his life was published to commemorate this event and he was awarded a medal from The American Institute of Graphic Arts
:
Melcher resigned as president of R.R. Bowker in 1958 to become chairman of the board. In 1962 he received the Regina Medal
from the Catholic Library Association “in recognition of a lifetime contribution to children’s literature.”
. The University of Virginia Library is home to the Frederic G. Melcher-Robert Frost Collection, which covers various photos and writings from the two men from 1865-1963. In 2006, a University of Virginia graduate student who was completing a thesis on the poetry of Frost discovered a previously unpublished poem, inscribed by Frost on the inside cover of a book Frost had given to Melcher in 1918.
. After his death, much of his work and sponsorship of several awards was carried on by his son Daniel.
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. ...
and Caldecott Medal
Caldecott Medal
The Caldecott Medal is awarded annually by the Association for Library Service to Children , a division of the American Library Association, to the artist of the most distinguished American picture book for children published that year. The award was named in honor of nineteenth-century English...
. Melcher was named as one of the most important 100 leaders in the library science field in the 20th century in an American Libraries
American Libraries
American Libraries is the official news and features magazine of the American Library Association. Published six times per year, along with four additional digital-only supplements, it is distributed to all members of the organization...
article and has been described as “the greatest all-round bookman in the English-speaking world.”
Melcher was born in 1879 in Malden, Massachusetts
Malden, Massachusetts
Malden is a suburban city in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 59,450 at the 2010 census. In 2009 Malden was ranked as the "Best Place to Raise Your Kids" in Massachusetts by Bloomberg Businessweek Magazine.-History:...
, a suburb on the north side of Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
. In 1883, the family moved to Newton Center, another Boston suburb. A 1945 essay describes his childhood growing up near a lake, fishing, ice skating and swimming. He was also an avid reader from a young age, making many visits to the library, as well as enjoying books passed on or gifted from friends and family.
Bookstores and bookmen
When Frederic was 16, his grandfather helped him to secure a job at Estes and Lauriat publishing company and bookstore in Boston. Melcher began his career in the book industry there, a career which would span 68 years. He began working in the mailroom and over the next 18 years worked his way into sales and acquisitions.It was during his time at Estes and Lauriat that he first developed his interest in children’s books. He worked to develop the children’s collection of the books store with help of Caroline Hewins, a New England librarian who also had interests in developing and promoting children’s books. He later established The Caroline M. Hewins Lectureship on New England children’s books in 1947. In 1910, he married Marguerite Fellows, an author of children’s books. In 1912, Melcher became president of the Boston Booksellers League. He was very active in the Boston book trade and was described as “an energetic and agreeable bookseller who knew books thoroughly.” His reputation as an enthusiastic and knowledgeable salesman resulted in his recommendation for a position running the W.K. Stewart Bookstore in Indianapolis, Indiana in 1913.
During his five years in Indiana, Melcher managed the W.K. Stewart Bookstore, which survived a flood but not a later fire which resulted in a total loss of the store and a new location. He was also active in the Indiana public Libraries Association and promoted material relating regional history.
He remained with R.R. Bowker for 45 years, becoming president in 1934. While at Publishers Weekly, Melcher began creating space in the publication and a number of issues dedicated solely to books for children. In 1919, he teamed with Franklin K. Mathiews, librarian for the Boy Scouts of America
Boy Scouts of America
The Boy Scouts of America is one of the largest youth organizations in the United States, with over 4.5 million youth members in its age-related divisions...
, and Anne Carroll Moore, a librarian at the New York Public Library
New York Public Library
The New York Public Library is the largest public library in North America and is one of the United States' most significant research libraries...
, to create Children’s Book Week.
Melcher proposed 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. ...
in 1922, an annual award for “the most distinguished book for children.” Melcher suggested that the award be named after John Newbery
John Newbery
John Newbery was an English publisher of books who first made children's literature a sustainable and profitable part of the literary market. He also supported and published the works of Christopher Smart, Oliver Goldsmith and Samuel Johnson...
, a British bookseller known for his contributions to the children’s book industry. Melcher recruited Rene Paul Chambellan
Rene Paul Chambellan
Rene Paul Chambellan was an American sculptor, born in West Hoboken, New Jersey.Chambellan studied at the École des Beaux-Arts and the Académie Julian in Paris and with Solon Borglum in New York City. Chambellan specialized in architectural sculpture...
to design the award. Although the award had hearty support, Melcher also drew extensively upon his own funds for the creation of the medal.
Melcher proposed the Caldecott Medal
Caldecott Medal
The Caldecott Medal is awarded annually by the Association for Library Service to Children , a division of the American Library Association, to the artist of the most distinguished American picture book for children published that year. The award was named in honor of nineteenth-century English...
in 1937 to honor children’s picture books. Named for British illustrator Randolph Caldecott
Randolph Caldecott
Randolph Caldecott was a British artist and illustrator, born in Chester. The Caldecott Medal was named in his honor. He exercised his art chiefly in book illustrations. His abilities as an artist were promptly and generously recognized by the Royal Academy. Caldecott greatly influenced...
, the medal is presented annually for the “most distinguished picture book for children.”
In 1945, Melcher had worked in the book industry for 50 years. A celebration was held in his honor at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel
Waldorf-Astoria Hotel
The Waldorf-Astoria is a luxury hotel in New York. It has been housed in two historic landmark buildings in New York City. The first, designed by architect Henry J. Hardenbergh, was on the Fifth Avenue site of the Empire State Building. The present building at 301 Park Avenue in Manhattan is a...
in New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. A collection of essays about his life was published to commemorate this event and he was awarded a medal from The American Institute of Graphic Arts
American Institute of Graphic Arts
AIGA is an American professional organization for design. Organized in 1914, AIGA currently has more than 22,000 members throughout 66 chapters and more than 200 student groups nationwide...
:
In recognition of his many-sided contributions to the Graphic Arts through 50 years, his patient and judicial sponsorship of worthy causes, international as well as national; his continuing kindly encouragement of young men and women first entering the world of books; and his tireless, accomplished, and successful efforts to make known and to maintain high standards of bookmaking.
Melcher resigned as president of R.R. Bowker in 1958 to become chairman of the board. In 1962 he received the Regina Medal
Regina Medal
The Regina Medal is an American Literary award of the Catholic Library Association. It was established in 1959 to recognize "continued, distinguished contribution to children’s literature without regard to the nature of the contribution"....
from the Catholic Library Association “in recognition of a lifetime contribution to children’s literature.”
Religious ties
Melcher was an active member in the Unitarian Universalist church. His contributions to the church and to the publishing industry, as well as his work in fighting against censorship led to the church establishing the Frederic G. Melcher Book Award in 1964. The award is given annually to the work “which is judged to have made the most significant contribution to religious liberalism.”Other interests
Although Frederic G. Melcher is best known for his contributions to the children’s book world, he was also known as being foremost among his contemporaries for his comprehensive understanding of the entire book industry, including bookselling, publishing and libraries. He was also active in supporting and developing the international book trade, fighting against censorship and working toward international copyright laws.Friendship with Frost
Melcher is also known for his friendship with American poet Robert FrostRobert Frost
Robert Lee Frost was an American poet. He is highly regarded for his realistic depictions of rural life and his command of American colloquial speech. His work frequently employed settings from rural life in New England in the early twentieth century, using them to examine complex social and...
. The University of Virginia Library is home to the Frederic G. Melcher-Robert Frost Collection, which covers various photos and writings from the two men from 1865-1963. In 2006, a University of Virginia graduate student who was completing a thesis on the poetry of Frost discovered a previously unpublished poem, inscribed by Frost on the inside cover of a book Frost had given to Melcher in 1918.
Death
Melcher died on March 9, 1963 at the age of 83, and his ashes were scattered at the family vacation home in Cape CodCape Cod
Cape Cod, often referred to locally as simply the Cape, is a cape in the easternmost portion of the state of Massachusetts, in the Northeastern United States...
. After his death, much of his work and sponsorship of several awards was carried on by his son Daniel.