Howard Pease
Encyclopedia
Howard Pease was an American
writer of adventure stories from Stockton, California
. Most of his stories revolved around a young protagonist, William Todhunter ("Tod") Moran who shipped out on tramp freighters during the interwar years. For most of his life Pease resided in the San Francisco area, except for those times when he shipped out as a member of the crew on a freighter, searching for new material. In addition to writing children's stories Pease taught high school, contributed to journals and reviewed books for the New York Times.
, Michael Dirda
and E. L. Doctorow
all cited Pease's stories as childhood influences. Reflected Dirda: "For a long period also I sought out the work of Howard Pease, old-fashioned nautical adventures teeming with frequent and arcane allusions to bilge
, Lascars and fo'csles
." Freedman, who won the Newbery Medal
and valued realism and accuracy in children's writing, called Pease his "literary hero."
(in which he worked) which he stated was a "wholly and solely a woman's world—a completely feminine world" subject to "tender-minded feminine control." Pease believed that this resulted in a paucity of male authors, depressed wages and a lack of realism in children's stories. Pease expounded these views in an address he delivered in 1939 at an American Library Association
"pre-conference" moderated by Frances Clarke Sayers
. While the audience of 400 female librarians concurred with Pease that the lack of male authors and of social realism was a problem, his overall misogynistic tone offended many and damaged his case. Nevertheless, Pease's speech provoked discussion in the field and led to, among other things, a review of the criteria by which the Newbery Medal
winner was selected. Pease remained interested in the question of realism in children's literature and corresponded with other authors on the topic, including noted librarian Julia Lin Sauer. In a reversal, a modern critic took Pease to task for creating "traditional" male heroes who were "brave, clever and independent."
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
writer of adventure stories from Stockton, California
Stockton, California
Stockton, California, the seat of San Joaquin County, is the fourth-largest city in the Central Valley of the U.S. state of California. With a population of 291,707 at the 2010 census, Stockton ranks as this state's 13th largest city...
. Most of his stories revolved around a young protagonist, William Todhunter ("Tod") Moran who shipped out on tramp freighters during the interwar years. For most of his life Pease resided in the San Francisco area, except for those times when he shipped out as a member of the crew on a freighter, searching for new material. In addition to writing children's stories Pease taught high school, contributed to journals and reviewed books for the New York Times.
Influence
Russell FreedmanRussell Freedman
Russell Freedman is a biographer and author of nearly 50 books for young people. He is most notable for receiving the 1988 Newbery Medal with his work Lincoln: A Photobiography. In 1998, he received the Laura Ingalls Wilder Medal for his lifelong contribution to children's literature. He currently...
, Michael Dirda
Michael Dirda
Michael Dirda , a Fulbright Fellowship recipient, is a Pulitzer Prize–winning book critic for the Washington Post.-Career:Having studied at Oberlin College for his undergraduate degree, Dirda took a Ph.D. from Cornell University in comparative literature. In 1978 Dirda started writing for the...
and E. L. Doctorow
E. L. Doctorow
Edgar Lawrence Doctorow is an American author.- Biography :Edgar Lawrence Doctorow was born in the Bronx, New York City, the son of second-generation Americans of Russian Jewish descent...
all cited Pease's stories as childhood influences. Reflected Dirda: "For a long period also I sought out the work of Howard Pease, old-fashioned nautical adventures teeming with frequent and arcane allusions to bilge
Bilge
The bilge is the lowest compartment on a ship where the two sides meet at the keel. The word was coined in 1513.-Bilge water:The word is sometimes also used to describe the water that collects in this compartment. Water that does not drain off the side of the deck drains down through the ship into...
, Lascars and fo'csles
Forecastle
Forecastle refers to the upper deck of a sailing ship forward of the foremast, or the forward part of a ship with the sailors' living quarters...
." Freedman, who won 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. ...
and valued realism and accuracy in children's writing, called Pease his "literary hero."
Pease and children's literature
Pease was strongly critical of the 1930s world of children's literatureChildren'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...
(in which he worked) which he stated was a "wholly and solely a woman's world—a completely feminine world" subject to "tender-minded feminine control." Pease believed that this resulted in a paucity of male authors, depressed wages and a lack of realism in children's stories. Pease expounded these views in an address he delivered in 1939 at an American Library Association
American Library Association
The American Library Association is a non-profit organization based in the United States that promotes libraries and library education internationally. It is the oldest and largest library association in the world, with more than 62,000 members....
"pre-conference" moderated by Frances Clarke Sayers
Frances Clarke Sayers
Frances Clarke Sayers was an American children's librarian, author of children's books, and lecturer on children's literature.- Biography :...
. While the audience of 400 female librarians concurred with Pease that the lack of male authors and of social realism was a problem, his overall misogynistic tone offended many and damaged his case. Nevertheless, Pease's speech provoked discussion in the field and led to, among other things, a review of the criteria by which 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. ...
winner was selected. Pease remained interested in the question of realism in children's literature and corresponded with other authors on the topic, including noted librarian Julia Lin Sauer. In a reversal, a modern critic took Pease to task for creating "traditional" male heroes who were "brave, clever and independent."
Papers
Pease's papers are held at the University of the Pacific in Stockton, CaliforniaStockton, California
Stockton, California, the seat of San Joaquin County, is the fourth-largest city in the Central Valley of the U.S. state of California. With a population of 291,707 at the 2010 census, Stockton ranks as this state's 13th largest city...
.
See also
- SS K. I. LuckenbachUSS K. I. Luckenbach (ID-2291)USS K. I. Luckenbach was a cargo ship and troop transport that served in the United States Navy from 1918 to 1919.SS K. I. Luckenbach was built as a commercial cargo ship at Quincy, Massachusetts, by Fore River Shipbuilding Corporation for Luckenbach Steamship Company of New York City. Launched on...
, one of the ships Pease served on