Mabel Robinson
Encyclopedia
Mabel Louise Robinson was an American children's author. Robinson was a two-time Newberry Honor
recipient.
. She was the daughter of James Frank and Mary Anna Dean Robinson. Robinson graduated high school and attended Radcliffe College
from 1904 to 1906. While teaching at various colleges, Robinson worked on completing her Master's Degree (1907) and Ph.D (1915) at Columbia University
in New York City.
Robinson taught at a number of colleges and universities throughout her career. At Wellesley College in Wellesley, Massachusetts
, she taught Zoology from 1904 to 1906. For twenty-six years (1919 to 1945) she taught advanced fiction writing workshops at Columbia University
in New York City. Although she taught a variety of subjects, she is probably best known for her classes at Columbia University. While she was at Columbia, she taught a workshop that resulted in the publication of over two hundred books. Robinson also taught at Constantinople College in Istanbul, Turkey. She conducted research for the Carnegie Foundation
in New York City. Robinson was the author of children's books, frequently featuring dogs. Robinson contributed short stories to periodicals including Delineator, Portal, St. Nicholas Magazine
, and The Youth's Companion. Two of her books were designated Newberry Honor books
by the American Library Association
. She felt that writing interesting books for young people was far more important than even obtaining her doctorate teacher.
, Robin and Tito (1931), Robin and Angus (1931), and Robin and Heather (1932).
, author of The Black Stallion
, a long series of well known children’s books. She has also made an impact in the state of Maine
. By basing many of her books there, Robinson has made herself well known in the area. When books about Maine are searched her children’s novels such as Bright Island and Strong Winds show up.
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. ...
recipient.
Early life and education
Mabel Louise Robinson was born and raised in Waltham, MassachusettsWaltham, Massachusetts
Waltham is a city in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States, was an early center for the labor movement, and major contributor to the American Industrial Revolution. The original home of the Boston Manufacturing Company, the city was a prototype for 19th century industrial city planning,...
. She was the daughter of James Frank and Mary Anna Dean Robinson. Robinson graduated high school and attended Radcliffe College
Radcliffe College
Radcliffe College was a women's liberal arts college in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and was the coordinate college for Harvard University. It was also one of the Seven Sisters colleges. Radcliffe College conferred joint Harvard-Radcliffe diplomas beginning in 1963 and a formal merger agreement with...
from 1904 to 1906. While teaching at various colleges, Robinson worked on completing her Master's Degree (1907) and Ph.D (1915) at Columbia University
Columbia University
Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, Ivy League university in Manhattan, New York City. Columbia is the oldest institution of higher learning in the state of New York, the fifth oldest in the United States, and one of the country's nine Colonial Colleges founded before the...
in New York City.
Career
After graduating high school, Robinson became an elementary school teacher.Robinson taught at a number of colleges and universities throughout her career. At Wellesley College in Wellesley, Massachusetts
Wellesley, Massachusetts
Wellesley is a town in Norfolk County, Massachusetts, United States. It is part of Greater Boston. The population was 27,982 at the time of the 2010 census.It is best known as the home of Wellesley College and Babson College...
, she taught Zoology from 1904 to 1906. For twenty-six years (1919 to 1945) she taught advanced fiction writing workshops at Columbia University
Columbia University
Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, Ivy League university in Manhattan, New York City. Columbia is the oldest institution of higher learning in the state of New York, the fifth oldest in the United States, and one of the country's nine Colonial Colleges founded before the...
in New York City. Although she taught a variety of subjects, she is probably best known for her classes at Columbia University. While she was at Columbia, she taught a workshop that resulted in the publication of over two hundred books. Robinson also taught at Constantinople College in Istanbul, Turkey. She conducted research for the Carnegie Foundation
Carnegie Corporation of New York
Carnegie Corporation of New York, which was established by Andrew Carnegie in 1911 "to promote the advancement and diffusion of knowledge and understanding," is one of the oldest, largest and most influential of American foundations...
in New York City. Robinson was the author of children's books, frequently featuring dogs. Robinson contributed short stories to periodicals including Delineator, Portal, St. Nicholas Magazine
St. Nicholas Magazine
St. Nicholas Magazine was a popular children's magazine, founded by Scribner's in 1873. The first editor was Mary Mapes Dodge, who continued her association with the magazine until her death in 1905. Dodge published work by the country's best writers, including Louisa May Alcott, Francis Hodgson...
, and The Youth's Companion. Two of her books were designated Newberry Honor books
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. ...
by the 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....
. She felt that writing interesting books for young people was far more important than even obtaining her doctorate teacher.
Notable works
- Dr. Tom O’Shanter, Dutton (New York, NY), 1921
- Little Lucia, Dutton (New York, NY), 1922
- Juvenile Story Writing, Dutton (New York, NY), 1922
- Little Lucia and Her Puppy, Dutton (New York, NY), 1923
- Little Lucia’s Island Camp, Dutton (New York, NY), 1924
- Little Lucia’s School, illustrated by Sophia T. Balcom, Dutton (New York, NY), 1926
- (With Helen Rose Hull) Creative Writing: The Story Form, American Book Co. (New York, NY), 1932
- Bright IslandBright IslandBright Island is a children's novel by Mabel Robinson. It tells the story of Thankful Curtis, who, having grown up on a small island off the coast of Maine, reluctantly agrees to attend school on the mainland for her senior year....
, illustrated by Lynd WardLynd WardLynd Kendall Ward was an American artist and storyteller, and son of Methodist minister and prominent political organizer Harry F. Ward. He illustrated some 200 juvenile and adult books...
, Random House (New York, NY), 1937. Newbery Honor Book - Runner of the Mountain Tops: The Life of Louis Agassiz, illustrated by Ward, Random House (New York, NY), 1939. Newberry Honor bookNewbery MedalThe 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. ...
- Bitter Forfeit, Bobbs-Merrill (Indianapolis, IN), 1947
- Writing for Young People, Nelson (New York, NY), 1950
- Skipper Riley, the Terrier Sea Dog, illustrated by Shortall, Random House (New York, NY), 1955
- Riley Goes to Obedience School, illustrated by Shortall, Random House (New York, NY), 1956
Influences
Robinson was passionate about writing books for young adults. Her "primary goal in life [was to] write books for young women, showcasing the protagonists worth, intelligence, and sensitivity". Robinson reached her goal by “bring[ing] realistic and believable young adult problems to modern girl readers looking not only for excitement and fun but for honestly and reality as well. Additionally,… [she] created vivid characters with whom girls could easily identify [with]”.Interests
Although Robinson wrote books for young readers and adults her passion laid in writing books for young female readers. She also believed that her most important responsibility as an author was to teach others to write. Robinson taught advanced writing classes for over twenty-five years at Columbia University and took great pride in her students accomplishments. Robinson “breathed life into a coastal area of Maine” and also had a interest in dogs and zoology. She used these two different influences to develop “young female characters who ventured beyond their isolated childhoods into the wider world, often to return to their childhood home with a renewed appreciation”. Books about dogs include Dr. Tam O’Shanter (1921), Stories that appeared in St. Nicholas MagazineSt. Nicholas Magazine
St. Nicholas Magazine was a popular children's magazine, founded by Scribner's in 1873. The first editor was Mary Mapes Dodge, who continued her association with the magazine until her death in 1905. Dodge published work by the country's best writers, including Louisa May Alcott, Francis Hodgson...
, Robin and Tito (1931), Robin and Angus (1931), and Robin and Heather (1932).
Cultural impact
As a well known author, Newbery Award receiver and instructor of many successful authors, Robinson made an impact with both her work and her teaching. Many of Robinson’s books have been used in elementary schools. Grade school teachers use her stories to enhance their subjects. In a forum dedicated to education, one teacher recommends the book King Arthur and his Knights to other teachers as a good read for classes studying medieval times. Being well known for her children’s books and teachings in writing classes, Robinson’s how-to books for writing are also very popular. This is especially denoted as Christian author Perry Thomas gives tips to young writers and says that “The best book on writing I've ever used is Writing for Young People by Mabel Louise Robinson”. Her career in teaching has also lead many of her students to produce successful books. She taught Walter FarleyWalter Farley
Walter Farley was an American author, primarily of horse stories for children. Educated at Columbia, where he received a B.A. in 1941, his first and most famous work was The Black Stallion...
, author of The Black Stallion
The Black Stallion
The Black Stallion, known as "the Black" or "Shêtân", is the title character from author Walter Farley's bestselling series about the stallion and his young owner, Alec Ramsay...
, a long series of well known children’s books. She has also made an impact in the state of Maine
Maine
Maine is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the east and south, New Hampshire to the west, and the Canadian provinces of Quebec to the northwest and New Brunswick to the northeast. Maine is both the northernmost and easternmost...
. By basing many of her books there, Robinson has made herself well known in the area. When books about Maine are searched her children’s novels such as Bright Island and Strong Winds show up.
External links
- http://www.bookrags.com/biography/mabel-louise-robinson-dlb/
- http://0-web.ebscohost.com.innopac.douglas.bc.ca/ehost/detail?vid=6&hid=107&sid=dc9740be-6d8f-46bf-a1c5-c03d1f135dde%40sessionmgr112&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZSZzY29wZT1zaXRl#db=lfh&AN=103331LM64609790306322
- http://0-galenet.galegroup.com.fvrlhp.fvrl.bc.ca/servlet/GLD/hits?r=d&origSearch=true&o=DataType&n=10&l=d&c=1&locID=abbo26703&secondary=false&u=CA&t=KW&s=2&NA=Mabel+Louise+Robinson&TI=The+Runner+of+the+Mountain&BY=1874&DY=1962
- http://www.unc.edu/~bflorenc/libraryladies/robinson.html