Genevieve Foster
Encyclopedia
Genevieve Stump Foster is an American writer of children's literature
who illustrated most of her own books and was a 4-time winner of the Newbery Honor
. She is one of only four writers to win the Newbery Honor four or five times.
, to John William Stump, a science teacher, and Jessie Starin Stump. A year after she was born her father died, and her mother moved with Genevieve, an only child, to live with her parents in Whitewater, Wisconsin
, where she spent most of her childhood. Foster cited the Wisconsin home and her grandmother as early influences. When she was 13, her drawing teacher recommended she attend art school after finishing high school. She attended Rockford College
from 1911 to 1912 and later graduated from the University of Wisconsin
in 1915. Still eager to draw, she then attended Chicago Academy of Fine Arts from 1916–1917.
. Foster was confused by the way history was taught in school and college and early in her career she decided to try to find a way to write history books both children and their parents could enjoy. She credits her daughter with inspiring her creative method. While they were watching the 1934 film The Rise of Catherine the Great, Joanna noticed Catherine's clothes were similar to those wore by Americans during the time of George Washington
. It occurred to Foster to write about history in a "horizontal" vice "vertical" fashion, i.e., that national histories should not be taught in isolation from one another. She said that the way history was traditionally taught was "about as dull and unsatisfying, as a play might be, if only one character appeared upon the stage, while the others faintly mumbled their lines in the wings, out of sight of the audience." She was at the forefront of this new method of historical writing, which viewed history as a cross section of intertwined events and looked at a person in their worldwide historical context. In her books, she integrated global historical events into the telling of a person's life. Her purpose was to make historical figures "alive for children". For example, her first historical book, George Washington's World
, showed how the French Revolution
, American Revolution
, and British imperialism
were intertwined and affected Washington's life. During her career she wrote 19 nonfiction children's books. Foster traveled extensively and most of her books were translated into 12–15 languages and were distributed by the U. S. State Department
.
. Her papers are held at the University of Oregon Libraries
, Special Collections & University Archives; and University of Minnesota Library
, the Children's Literature Research Collections. Many of her books are still in print and some are used as textbooks, particularly in the homeschooling
market. Her daughter, Joanna, worked as an editor of children's books and wrote two youth books of her own, Pete's Puddle (1950) and Dogs Working for People (1972).
NOTE: NH indicates year of Newbery Honor award
Children's literature
Children's literature is for readers and listeners up to about age twelve; it is often defined in four different ways: books written by children, books written for children, books chosen by children, or books chosen for children. It is often illustrated. The term is used in senses which sometimes...
who illustrated most of her own books and was a 4-time winner of the Newbery Honor
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. ...
. She is one of only four writers to win the Newbery Honor four or five times.
Childhood and education
Foster was born in Oswego, New YorkOswego, New York
Oswego is a city in Oswego County, New York, United States. The population was 18,142 at the 2010 census. Oswego is located on Lake Ontario in north-central New York and promotes itself as "The Port City of Central New York"...
, to John William Stump, a science teacher, and Jessie Starin Stump. A year after she was born her father died, and her mother moved with Genevieve, an only child, to live with her parents in Whitewater, Wisconsin
Whitewater, Wisconsin
Whitewater is a city in Jefferson and Walworth Counties in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. Located near the southern portion of the Kettle Moraine State Forest, Whitewater is the home of the University of Wisconsin–Whitewater.-Geography:...
, where she spent most of her childhood. Foster cited the Wisconsin home and her grandmother as early influences. When she was 13, her drawing teacher recommended she attend art school after finishing high school. She attended Rockford College
Rockford College
Rockford College is a private American liberal arts college in Rockford, Illinois. It was founded in 1847 as Rockford Female Seminary and changed its name in 1892. The college is known as the alma mater of Nobel Peace Prize winner Jane Addams, who was a member of the class of...
from 1911 to 1912 and later graduated from the University of Wisconsin
University of Wisconsin–Madison
The University of Wisconsin–Madison is a public research university located in Madison, Wisconsin, United States. Founded in 1848, UW–Madison is the flagship campus of the University of Wisconsin System. It became a land-grant institution in 1866...
in 1915. Still eager to draw, she then attended Chicago Academy of Fine Arts from 1916–1917.
Professional career
Foster began her career as a commercial artist, illustrator, and advertiser. She greatly reduced the amount of her work when she married Orrington C. Foster, an engineer, on June 5, 1922. After 5 months living in the woods, they moved to Chicago, Illinois. They had two children, Orrington Jr (known as Tony) in 1924 and Joanna in 1928. From 1930-1938 she significantly increased the amount of her work, primarily as an illustrator for children's stories. In 1933 they moved to Evanston, IllinoisEvanston, Illinois
Evanston is a suburban municipality in Cook County, Illinois 12 miles north of downtown Chicago, bordering Chicago to the south, Skokie to the west, and Wilmette to the north, with an estimated population of 74,360 as of 2003. It is one of the North Shore communities that adjoin Lake Michigan...
. Foster was confused by the way history was taught in school and college and early in her career she decided to try to find a way to write history books both children and their parents could enjoy. She credits her daughter with inspiring her creative method. While they were watching the 1934 film The Rise of Catherine the Great, Joanna noticed Catherine's clothes were similar to those wore by Americans during the time of George Washington
George Washington
George Washington was the dominant military and political leader of the new United States of America from 1775 to 1799. He led the American victory over Great Britain in the American Revolutionary War as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army from 1775 to 1783, and presided over the writing of...
. It occurred to Foster to write about history in a "horizontal" vice "vertical" fashion, i.e., that national histories should not be taught in isolation from one another. She said that the way history was traditionally taught was "about as dull and unsatisfying, as a play might be, if only one character appeared upon the stage, while the others faintly mumbled their lines in the wings, out of sight of the audience." She was at the forefront of this new method of historical writing, which viewed history as a cross section of intertwined events and looked at a person in their worldwide historical context. In her books, she integrated global historical events into the telling of a person's life. Her purpose was to make historical figures "alive for children". For example, her first historical book, George Washington's World
George Washington's World
George Washington's World is a children's history book by Genevieve Foster. The first edition, illustrated by the author, was published in 1941 and was a Newbery Honor recipient in 1942....
, showed how the French Revolution
French Revolution
The French Revolution , sometimes distinguished as the 'Great French Revolution' , was a period of radical social and political upheaval in France and Europe. The absolute monarchy that had ruled France for centuries collapsed in three years...
, American Revolution
American Revolution
The American Revolution was the political upheaval during the last half of the 18th century in which thirteen colonies in North America joined together to break free from the British Empire, combining to become the United States of America...
, and British imperialism
British Empire
The British Empire comprised the dominions, colonies, protectorates, mandates and other territories ruled or administered by the United Kingdom. It originated with the overseas colonies and trading posts established by England in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. At its height, it was the...
were intertwined and affected Washington's life. During her career she wrote 19 nonfiction children's books. Foster traveled extensively and most of her books were translated into 12–15 languages and were distributed by the U. S. State Department
United States Department of State
The United States Department of State , is the United States federal executive department responsible for international relations of the United States, equivalent to the foreign ministries of other countries...
.
Death and legacy
Foster died in Westport, ConnecticutWestport, Connecticut
-Neighborhoods:* Saugatuck – around the Westport railroad station near the southwestern corner of the town – a built-up area with some restaurants, stores and offices....
. Her papers are held at the University of Oregon Libraries
University of Oregon
-Colleges and schools:The University of Oregon is organized into eight schools and colleges—six professional schools and colleges, an Arts and Sciences College and an Honors College.- School of Architecture and Allied Arts :...
, Special Collections & University Archives; and University of Minnesota Library
University of Minnesota
The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities is a public research university located in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota, United States. It is the oldest and largest part of the University of Minnesota system and has the fourth-largest main campus student body in the United States, with 52,557...
, the Children's Literature Research Collections. Many of her books are still in print and some are used as textbooks, particularly in the homeschooling
Homeschooling
Homeschooling or homeschool is the education of children at home, typically by parents but sometimes by tutors, rather than in other formal settings of public or private school...
market. Her daughter, Joanna, worked as an editor of children's books and wrote two youth books of her own, Pete's Puddle (1950) and Dogs Working for People (1972).
Author
- George Washington's WorldGeorge Washington's WorldGeorge Washington's World is a children's history book by Genevieve Foster. The first edition, illustrated by the author, was published in 1941 and was a Newbery Honor recipient in 1942....
(1941) (NH 1942) - Abraham Lincoln's World 1809-1865Abraham Lincoln's WorldAbraham Lincoln's World is a children's history book by Genevieve Foster. Illustrated by the author, it was first published in 1944 and was a Newbery Honor recipient in 1945....
(1944) (NH 1945) - Augustus Caesar's World: A Story of Ideas and Events from B.C. 44 to 14 A.D. (1947)
- George Washington (1949) (NH 1950)
- Abraham Lincoln (1950)
- Andrew Jackson (1951)
- Birthdays of Freedom, Vol. 1Birthdays of Freedom, Vol. 1Birthdays of Freedom is a children's history book written and illustrated by Genevieve Foster. The book was originally published in two volumes, Book One being first published in 1952, Book Two in 1957. Book One was was a Newbery Honor recipient in 1953....
(1952) (NH 1953) - Birthdays of Freedom, Vol. 2 (1957) (one volume edition 1973)
- Theodore Roosevelt (1954)
- When and Where in Italy, A Passport to Yesterday for Readers and Travelers of Today (1955)
- The World of Captain John Smith (1959)
- The World of Columbus and Sons (1965)
- Year of the Pilgrims, 1620 (1969)
- Year of Columbus, 1492 (1969)
- Year of Lincoln, 1861 (1970)
- Year of Independence, 1776 (1970)
- The World of William Penn (1973)
- Year of the Horseless Carriage, 1801 (1975)
- Year of the Flying Machine, 1903 (1977)
NOTE: NH indicates year of Newbery Honor award
Illustrated only
- Boyhood Adventures of Our Presidents, by Frances Cavanah
- Children of the White House, by Frances Cavanah
- Pioneer Girl, The Early Life of Frances Willard, by Clara Ingram Judson
- The Strange Pettingill Puzzle, Two Mysteries for Boys and Girls, by Augusta Huiell Seaman