Mabel Robinson

Mabel Louise Robinson (July 19, 1874 – February 21, 1962) was an American writer of children's books. She 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".[1] 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 ”.[2] Robinson was a runner-up for the annual Newbery Medal twice.

Helen Hull & Mabel Robinson

Early life and education

Mabel Louise Robinson was born and raised in Waltham, Massachusetts. She was the daughter of James Frank and Mary Anna Dean Robinson.[3] 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.[3]

Career

After graduating high school, Robinson became an elementary school teacher.[4] 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.[5] 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.[6] 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.[5] Two of her books were designated Newbery Honor books by the American Library Association.[7] She felt that writing interesting books for young people was far more important than even obtaining her doctorate teacher.[4]

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.[1] Robinson “breathed life into a coastal area of Maine” and also had an interest in dogs and zoology.[2] 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”.[1] Books about dogs include Dr. Tam O’Shanter (1921), Stories that appeared in St. Nicholas Magazine, Robin and Tito (1931), Robin and Angus (1931), and Robin and Heather (1932).

Personal life

She taught creative writing at the Ivy League institution, Columbia University with her lifelong partner, Helen Rose Hull.[8] Robinson died February 21, 1962.

Cultural impact

As a well-known author, Newbery runner-up 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.[9] 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”.[10] Her career in teaching has also led many of her students to produce successful books. She taught Walter Farley, author of The Black Stallion, a long series of well known children's books. She also taught Ann Petry, author of The Street (1946), the first novel by an African-American woman to sell more than a million copies.[11] 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.[12]

Selected works
Library resources about
Mabel Robinson
By Mabel Robinson
  • 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 Island, illustrated by Lynd Ward, Random House (New York, NY), 1937. — a Newbery Medal runner-up
  • Runner of the Mountain Tops: The Life of Louis Agassiz, illustrated by Ward, Random House (New York, NY), 1939. — a Newbery runner-up[13]
  • 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

References
  1. Cameron, Ann M. “Mabel Louise Robinson.” Guide to Literary Masters & Their Works; January 2007, p1-1. EBSCOhost: Web. 13 November 2011.
  2. BookRags. Dictionary of Literary Biography on Mabel Louise Robinson, n.d. Web. 13 Nov.2011
  3. Kunitz, S. J., & Haycraft, H. “Mabel Louise Robinson.” The Junior Book of Authors. 2nd ed. 1951. Print.
  4. Kunitz, S. J., & Haycraft, H. (Eds.). (1951). Mabel Louise Robinson. In The junior book of authors (2nd ed., rev.) (pp. 256-257). New York: The H. W. Wilson Company.
  5. “Mabel Louise Robinson.” Gale Literary Databases: Contemporary Authors. Web. 13 November 2011.
  6. Florence, Brandi and Erica Jarvis. “Outstanding Women in Children’s Librarianship – Mabel Robinson.” Celebrating the Contributions of Women in Youth Library Services. Web. 11 November 2011.
  7. "Newbery Medal and Honor Books, 1922-Present". www.ala.org. American Library Association. Retrieved 18 November 2011.
  8. "Back Matter". Women's Studies Quarterly. 16 (1/2). 1988-01-01. JSTOR 40003812.
  9. Alana in Canada. “Medieval /Early Renaissance reading books Grammar Stage HELP”. The well-trained mind, a guide to classical education at home. 23 September 2008. Web. 12 November 2011.
  10. Thomas, Perry. Free tips for Writers. Perry Thomas Books. N.p. n.d. Web. 13 November 2011
  11. Ann Petry, “The Novel as Social Criticism.” The Writer’s Book, edited by Helen Hull, Harper, 1950, pp. 31-39.
  12. Juvenile and Young Adult Fiction Set in Maine. Library Booklists. N.p. N.d. Web. 12 November 2011
  13. Mead, Aaron and Angela Mead. Children’s Books and Reviews. 2011. Web. 14 November 2011
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