Helen Markley Miller
Encyclopedia
Helen C. Knapp Markley Miller (born 1899) was a prolific American
writer of historical and biographical fiction for children taking place in the Western United States
.
. In 1919 she graduated from the Iowa Teachers College
in her city of birth. Subsequently she worked as an English teacher until her marriage. After her husband died, she picked up teaching again.
In 1953 Doubleday published Miller's first book, Promenade All. In 1954 she graduated with a master's degree from Western State College of Colorado
. Her masters' thesis, Let me be a free man, was about Chief Joseph
. Like many of her books, it was a fictionalized biography.
After her graduate studies, Miller lived in McCall
, Idaho
and wrote 21 more books. All were published by major publishing houses. She was represented by literary agent Barthold Fles
. Miller had taught at the University of Idaho
.
Helen Markley Miller's only son, Andrew Markley "Mack" Miller
, participated as a cross-country skier in the Winter Olympics of 1956 and 1960. Mack and his sport formed the inspiration to Mrs. Miller's sixth novel, Ski fast, ski long.
At least one of her books has been translated to German.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
writer of historical and biographical fiction for children taking place in the Western United States
Western United States
.The Western United States, commonly referred to as the American West or simply "the West," traditionally refers to the region comprising the westernmost states of the United States. Because the U.S. expanded westward after its founding, the meaning of the West has evolved over time...
.
Biography
Helen Markley Miller was born in Cedar Falls, IowaCedar Falls, Iowa
Cedar Falls is a city in Black Hawk County, Iowa, United States, and it is home to one of Iowa's three public universities, the University of Northern Iowa. The population was 39,260 in the 2010 census, an increase from the 36,145 population in the 2000 census...
. In 1919 she graduated from the Iowa Teachers College
University of Northern Iowa
The University of Northern Iowa is a college located in Cedar Falls, Iowa, United States. UNI offers more than 120 majors across the colleges of Business Administration, Education, Humanities and Fine Arts, Natural Sciences, and Social and Behavioral sciences, and graduate college.UNI has...
in her city of birth. Subsequently she worked as an English teacher until her marriage. After her husband died, she picked up teaching again.
In 1953 Doubleday published Miller's first book, Promenade All. In 1954 she graduated with a master's degree from Western State College of Colorado
Western State College of Colorado
Western State College of Colorado is a four-year public liberal arts college located in Gunnison, Colorado. The enrollment stands at about 2400 students with a high percentage, one-fourth, from out of state. The far flung appeal for some students is found in the idyllic mountains and ski slopes...
. Her masters' thesis, Let me be a free man, was about Chief Joseph
Chief Joseph
Hin-mah-too-yah-lat-kekt, popularly known as Chief Joseph, or Young Joseph was the leader of the Wal-lam-wat-kain band of Nez Perce during General Oliver O. Howard's attempt to forcibly remove his band and the other "non-treaty" Nez Perce to a reservation in Idaho...
. Like many of her books, it was a fictionalized biography.
After her graduate studies, Miller lived in McCall
McCall, Idaho
McCall is a resort town on the western edge of Valley County, Idaho, United States. Named after its founder, Tom McCall, it is situated on the southern shore of Payette Lake, near the center of the Payette National Forest...
, Idaho
Idaho
Idaho is a state in the Rocky Mountain area of the United States. The state's largest city and capital is Boise. Residents are called "Idahoans". Idaho was admitted to the Union on July 3, 1890, as the 43rd state....
and wrote 21 more books. All were published by major publishing houses. She was represented by literary agent Barthold Fles
Barthold Fles
Barthold Fles was a Dutch-American literary agent, author, translator, editor and publisher. Among his many clients were Raymond Loewy, Heinrich Mann, Joseph Roth, Felix Salten, Ignazio Silone, Bruno Walter and Arnold Zweig.-Life and career:Barthold "Bart" Fles was born in Amsterdam into an...
. Miller had taught at the University of Idaho
University of Idaho
The University of Idaho is the State of Idaho's flagship and oldest public university, located in the rural city of Moscow in Latah County in the northern portion of the state...
.
Helen Markley Miller's only son, Andrew Markley "Mack" Miller
Mack Miller
Andrew Markley "Mack" Miller is an American cross-country skier and trainer.Mack Miller was national champion cross country skiing of 1955 and represented the United States in the Winter Olympics of 1956 and 1960. In between, in 1958 he was the highest ranked American cross-country skier in the...
, participated as a cross-country skier in the Winter Olympics of 1956 and 1960. Mack and his sport formed the inspiration to Mrs. Miller's sixth novel, Ski fast, ski long.
At least one of her books has been translated to German.
External links
- Full text of Benjamin Bonneville, Soldier Explorer, 1796-1878 downloadable in several formats