Mabel Leigh Hunt
Encyclopedia
Mabel Leigh Hunt was an American writer.
She was born in Coatesville, Indiana
. She was raised in Greencastle
by Quaker parents there, and from age 10 in Plainfield
(a center of Indiana Quaker activity), until her physician father died. She and her mother then lived in Indianapolis
until she studied at DePauw University
in Greencastle from 1910 to 1912. In 1923 she returned to school for a year at Western University
Library School in Cleveland
, and was a librarian at the Indianapolis Public Library starting in 1926. She had published Lucinda, A Little Girl of 1860 in 1934, and in 1938 she left her position to write full time.
Two of her books, Have You Seen Tom Thumb?
and Better Known as Johnny Appleseed
, were Newbery Honor
books. Better Known as Johnny Appleseed also was included by the New York Herald-Tribune on a list of the best Western books ever written.
Besides Lucinda ... (based on her own and her mother's experiences), she wrote many other works on Quaker themes, including The Double Birthday Present (1947), a 1959 article on both Quaker children and Quaker-related children's books, for a periodical You Are Called, Cupola House (1961), and Beggar's Daughter (1963). Her papers include a personal letter from Richard Nixon
(who had a Quaker background), in 1960, a year when he was both Vice President and the losing candidate for President.
She died September 3, 1971.
She was born in Coatesville, Indiana
Coatesville, Indiana
Coatesville is a town in Clay Township, Hendricks County, Indiana, United States. The population was 523 at the 2010 Census.-Geography:Coatesville is located at ....
. She was raised in Greencastle
Greencastle, Indiana
Greencastle is a city in Greencastle Township, Putnam County, Indiana, United States, and the county seat of Putnam County. It was founded in 1821 by Scots-Irish American Ephraim Dukes on a land grant. He named the settlement for his hometown of Greencastle, Pennsylvania...
by Quaker parents there, and from age 10 in Plainfield
Plainfield, Indiana
As of the census of 2000, there were 18,396 people, 7,051 households, and 4,914 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,023.1 people per square mile . There were 7,449 housing units at an average density of 414.3 per square mile...
(a center of Indiana Quaker activity), until her physician father died. She and her mother then lived in Indianapolis
Indianapolis
Indianapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Indiana, and the county seat of Marion County, Indiana. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population is 839,489. It is by far Indiana's largest city and, as of the 2010 U.S...
until she studied at DePauw University
DePauw University
DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana, USA, is a private, national liberal arts college with an enrollment of approximately 2,400 students. The school has a Methodist heritage and was originally known as Indiana Asbury University. DePauw is a member of both the Great Lakes Colleges Association...
in Greencastle from 1910 to 1912. In 1923 she returned to school for a year at Western University
Western University
Western University is a private university located in Baku, Azerbaijan. Founded in 1991 by Husein Baghirov, it has six schools, 25 majors, 180 faculty and approximately 1000 students. The university took its name because it is modeled after Western universities in style of instruction and...
Library School in Cleveland
Cleveland, Ohio
Cleveland is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and is the county seat of Cuyahoga County, the most populous county in the state. The city is located in northeastern Ohio on the southern shore of Lake Erie, approximately west of the Pennsylvania border...
, and was a librarian at the Indianapolis Public Library starting in 1926. She had published Lucinda, A Little Girl of 1860 in 1934, and in 1938 she left her position to write full time.
Two of her books, Have You Seen Tom Thumb?
Have You Seen Tom Thumb?
Have You Seen Tom Thumb? is a biography of General Tom Thumb written for children by Mabel Leigh Hunt. It tells the story of Charles Sherwood Stratton, a charming and humorous dwarf who traveled all over the world with the showman P. T. Barnum. The book, illustrated by Fritz Eichenberg, was first...
and Better Known as Johnny Appleseed
Better Known as Johnny Appleseed
Better Known as Johnny Appleseed is a children's book by Mabel Leigh Hunt. It presents the life and legend of John Chapman, better known as Johnny Appleseed, in nine stories, each named for a variety of apple such as those Johnny planted in the Midwest river valleys. Each story takes him westward...
, were 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. ...
books. Better Known as Johnny Appleseed also was included by the New York Herald-Tribune on a list of the best Western books ever written.
Besides Lucinda ... (based on her own and her mother's experiences), she wrote many other works on Quaker themes, including The Double Birthday Present (1947), a 1959 article on both Quaker children and Quaker-related children's books, for a periodical You Are Called, Cupola House (1961), and Beggar's Daughter (1963). Her papers include a personal letter from Richard Nixon
Richard Nixon
Richard Milhous Nixon was the 37th President of the United States, serving from 1969 to 1974. The only president to resign the office, Nixon had previously served as a US representative and senator from California and as the 36th Vice President of the United States from 1953 to 1961 under...
(who had a Quaker background), in 1960, a year when he was both Vice President and the losing candidate for President.
She died September 3, 1971.