Marian Hurd McNeely
Encyclopedia
Marian Kent Hurd McNeely (26 July 1877–8 December 1930) was an American children's book author. Her work Jumping-Off Place received a Newbery Honor
in 1930.
in 1877. She worked for a newspaper around the turn of the century, writing a column between 1903 and 1906, when she left for Italy for a year. She married Lee McNeely on May 4, 1910. They had four children. For two years they homesteaded
at Rosebud Indian Reservation
, which became the inspiration for The Jumping-Off Place.
Apart from her books, McNeely wrote short stories and poems which appeared in publications like St. Nicholas Magazine
, Literary Digest
, Ladies' Home Journal
and the Saturday Review of Literature (A Ballade of Losers, a humorous poem about being an also-ran for the Newbery Medal).
She was killed on 8 December 1930 when she was hit by a car while crossing a street.
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 1930.
Biography
Marian Kent Hurd was born in Dubuque, IowaDubuque, Iowa
Dubuque is a city in and the county seat of Dubuque County, Iowa, United States, located along the Mississippi River. In 2010 its population was 57,637, making it the ninth-largest city in the state and the county's population was 93,653....
in 1877. She worked for a newspaper around the turn of the century, writing a column between 1903 and 1906, when she left for Italy for a year. She married Lee McNeely on May 4, 1910. They had four children. For two years they homesteaded
Homesteading
Broadly defined, homesteading is a lifestyle of simple self-sufficiency.-Current practice:The term may apply to anyone who follows the back-to-the-land movement by adopting a sustainable, self-sufficient lifestyle. While land is no longer freely available in most areas of the world, homesteading...
at Rosebud Indian Reservation
Rosebud Indian Reservation
The Rosebud Indian Reservation is an Indian reservation in South Dakota, United States. It is the home of the federally recognized Sicangu Oyate, also known as Sicangu Lakota, the Upper Brulé Sioux Nation, and the Rosebud Sioux Tribe , a branch of the Lakota people...
, which became the inspiration for The Jumping-Off Place.
Apart from her books, McNeely wrote short stories and poems which appeared in publications like 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...
, Literary Digest
Literary Digest
The Literary Digest was an influential general interest weekly magazine published by Funk & Wagnalls. Founded by Isaac Kaufmann Funk in 1890, it eventually merged with two similar weekly magazines, Public Opinion and Current Opinion.-History:...
, Ladies' Home Journal
Ladies' Home Journal
Ladies' Home Journal is an American magazine which first appeared on February 16, 1883, and eventually became one of the leading women's magazines of the 20th century in the United States...
and the Saturday Review of Literature (A Ballade of Losers, a humorous poem about being an also-ran for the Newbery Medal).
She was killed on 8 December 1930 when she was hit by a car while crossing a street.
External links
- South Dakota History article on McNeely, with photograph