May Hill Arbuthnot
Encyclopedia
May Hill Arbuthnot was an educator, editor, writer, and critic who was selected for American Libraries
article “100 Most Important Leaders we had for the 20th Century”. Arbuthnot devoted her career to the awareness and importance of children's literature
. Her efforts expanded and enriched the selection of books for children, libraries, and children’s librarians alike.
to Frank and Mary (Seville) Hill in 1884, May Hill grew up in many different cities, going to school in Massachusetts
, Minnesota
, and Illinois
. She grew up fond of books, with both a mother and father who were avid readers, and spent time reading the Book of Common Prayer
. May Hill graduated from Hyde Park High School
in Chicago, Illinois in 1912. Because of financial issues, May Hill did not attend college towards her baccalaureate until nine years later. Instead, she received a k-primary supervisor certificate from the University of Chicago
in 1913. Hill eventually went on to receive her baccalaureate from the same university in 1922. May also earned her graduate degree from Columbia University
in 1924 . May Hill married Charles Crisswell Arbuthnot in 1932. They met later in her career, while he was head of the economics
department at Western Reserve University
(now Case Western Reserve University) .
, lead a teacher training program in New York City
, and taught children’s literature at the University of Chicago
. In Pioneers and Leaders in Library Services to Youth, Marilyn Miller describes how Arbuthnot contributed to the beginning of nursery training schools in Ohio
. In 1922, she became the principle of a kindergarten primary training school in Cleveland, Ohio
. In 1927, with her valiant efforts, this training school became the department of elementary education at Western Reserve University
. After directing this move, Arbuthnot became an associate professor at the university. This school became a key school in teaching and training professionals and parents alike in the development of children and children's literacy
. She continued this career until 1950, which was her year of retirement. Arbuthnot also contributed in other ways to children’s literacy. She was a review editor where she reviewed children’s books for Children’s Education from 1933-1943 and then for Elementary English from 1948-1950 .
was her wide array of published books. For higher education Arbuthnot authored the textbook
, Children and Books. First published in 1947, the book has gone on for multiple editions, co-authored by Zena Sutherland. This book was used in children’s literature classes for many decades . Another contribution to children’s literacy was the Basic Reader Series. In 1947, Arbuthnot and William S. Gray
, a friend from the University of Chicago, developed and co-authored this series for early readers. The series was quite popular, and is now well known as the first of the Dick and Jane
series. Besides the popularity of this series, it did not come without criticism. Some critics believed Arbuthnot “valued function over literary merit” . Even after Arbuthnot retired from being an associate professor at the University, she continued to publish books and give lectures . Some of her last contributions to the publishing world are her anthologies
. After retirement, she built many anthologies that were made to point educators of children to collections of books that would accompany their teachings. Two of the well known anthologies include Time for Poetry (1951), and Arbuthnot Anthology of Children’s Literature (1953). Both of these have continued on with multiple editions .
woman who derives part or all of her income from books and allied arts, and who has done meritorious work in the world of books beyond the duties or responsibilities of her profession or occupation”. In 1964, she was recognized with the Regina Medal
from the Catholic Library Association. This medal honors excellence in the field of children’s literature. Its recipient is recognized for their “continued, distinguished contribution to children’s literature without regard to the nature of the contribution” .
(ALSC), a division of the American Library Association
(ALA), and in conjunction with Scott, Foresman and Co., the Arbuthnot Honor Lecture
is put on by a person in the profession of children’s literature. This includes historians, librarians, educators, critics, or authors . In the inaugural lecture, Arbuthnot spoke of the importance of the “spoken word,” that she spent many years “…bringing children and books together by way of spoken word”. The Arbuthnot Award, given out by the International Reading Association
, is a yearly $800 awarded to excellence in teaching having to do with children or young adult literature at the college level .
, by Blanche Fisher Wright
. In this introduction, she explains her idea of the importance of books for children. She believed a very simple philosophy of books to be possible of garnering huge interest from children, and in turn, children will increase their literacy skills by enjoying and rereading them over and over. Also, parents have the ability to help children learn just by reading and interacting with them. She describes how the hardware of the book helps to facilitate learning. She goes on to describe this learning style by saying, “As a result, children will know more words and speak them more crisply and clearly than they would have without Mother Goose. Above all, they will carry with them some feeling for the fun, freshness and sheer delight of poetry. All this because of Mother Goose.”
American Libraries
American Libraries is the official news and features magazine of the American Library Association. Published six times per year, along with four additional digital-only supplements, it is distributed to all members of the organization...
article “100 Most Important Leaders we had for the 20th Century”. Arbuthnot devoted her career to the awareness and importance of children's literature
Children's literature
Children's literature is for readers and listeners up to about age twelve; it is often defined in four different ways: books written by children, books written for children, books chosen by children, or books chosen for children. It is often illustrated. The term is used in senses which sometimes...
. Her efforts expanded and enriched the selection of books for children, libraries, and children’s librarians alike.
Early history and education
Born in Mason City, IowaMason City, Iowa
Mason City is the county seat of Cerro Gordo County, Iowa, United States. The population was 28,079 in the 2010 census, a decline from 29,172 in the 2000 census. The Mason City Micropolitan Statistical Area includes all of Cerro Gordo and Worth counties....
to Frank and Mary (Seville) Hill in 1884, May Hill grew up in many different cities, going to school in Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
, Minnesota
Minnesota
Minnesota is a U.S. state located in the Midwestern United States. The twelfth largest state of the U.S., it is the twenty-first most populous, with 5.3 million residents. Minnesota was carved out of the eastern half of the Minnesota Territory and admitted to the Union as the thirty-second state...
, and Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
. She grew up fond of books, with both a mother and father who were avid readers, and spent time reading the Book of Common Prayer
Book of Common Prayer
The Book of Common Prayer is the short title of a number of related prayer books used in the Anglican Communion, as well as by the Continuing Anglican, "Anglican realignment" and other Anglican churches. The original book, published in 1549 , in the reign of Edward VI, was a product of the English...
. May Hill graduated from Hyde Park High School
Hyde Park Career Academy
Hyde Park Career Academy is a public 4-year high school located in the Woodlawn neighborhood in Chicago, Illinois, USA. It is a part of the Chicago Public Schools District 299.-Notable alumni:...
in Chicago, Illinois in 1912. Because of financial issues, May Hill did not attend college towards her baccalaureate until nine years later. Instead, she received a k-primary supervisor certificate from the University of Chicago
University of Chicago
The University of Chicago is a private research university in Chicago, Illinois, USA. It was founded by the American Baptist Education Society with a donation from oil magnate and philanthropist John D. Rockefeller and incorporated in 1890...
in 1913. Hill eventually went on to receive her baccalaureate from the same university in 1922. May also earned her graduate degree from 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 1924 . May Hill married Charles Crisswell Arbuthnot in 1932. They met later in her career, while he was head of the economics
Economics
Economics is the social science that analyzes the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. The term economics comes from the Ancient Greek from + , hence "rules of the house"...
department at Western Reserve University
Case Western Reserve University
Case Western Reserve University is a private research university located in Cleveland, Ohio, USA...
(now Case Western Reserve University) .
Early career
May Hill Arbuthnot held many jobs while she was continuing her education. She was a kindergarten teacher and director in WisconsinWisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
, lead a teacher training program in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, and taught children’s literature at the University of Chicago
University of Chicago
The University of Chicago is a private research university in Chicago, Illinois, USA. It was founded by the American Baptist Education Society with a donation from oil magnate and philanthropist John D. Rockefeller and incorporated in 1890...
. In Pioneers and Leaders in Library Services to Youth, Marilyn Miller describes how Arbuthnot contributed to the beginning of nursery training schools in Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
. In 1922, she became the principle of a kindergarten primary training school in Cleveland, Ohio
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...
. In 1927, with her valiant efforts, this training school became the department of elementary education at Western Reserve University
Case Western Reserve University
Case Western Reserve University is a private research university located in Cleveland, Ohio, USA...
. After directing this move, Arbuthnot became an associate professor at the university. This school became a key school in teaching and training professionals and parents alike in the development of children and children's literacy
Literacy
Literacy has traditionally been described as the ability to read for knowledge, write coherently and think critically about printed material.Literacy represents the lifelong, intellectual process of gaining meaning from print...
. She continued this career until 1950, which was her year of retirement. Arbuthnot also contributed in other ways to children’s literacy. She was a review editor where she reviewed children’s books for Children’s Education from 1933-1943 and then for Elementary English from 1948-1950 .
Published books
May Hill Arbuthnot’s biggest contribution to the field of library and information scienceLibrary and information science
Library and information science is a merging of the two fields library science and information science...
was her wide array of published books. For higher education Arbuthnot authored the textbook
Textbook
A textbook or coursebook is a manual of instruction in any branch of study. Textbooks are produced according to the demands of educational institutions...
, Children and Books. First published in 1947, the book has gone on for multiple editions, co-authored by Zena Sutherland. This book was used in children’s literature classes for many decades . Another contribution to children’s literacy was the Basic Reader Series. In 1947, Arbuthnot and William S. Gray
William S. Gray
Dr. William S. Gray was an American educator and literacy advocate.-Life and career:Gray was born in the town of Coatsburg, Illinois on June 5, 1885. He graduated from High School in 1904 and began teaching in a one room school house in Adams County, Illinois...
, a friend from the University of Chicago, developed and co-authored this series for early readers. The series was quite popular, and is now well known as the first of the Dick and Jane
Dick and Jane
Dick and Jane were the main characters in popular basal readers written by William S. Gray and Zerna Sharp and published by Scott Foresman, that were used to teach children to read from the 1930s through to the 1970s in the United States...
series. Besides the popularity of this series, it did not come without criticism. Some critics believed Arbuthnot “valued function over literary merit” . Even after Arbuthnot retired from being an associate professor at the University, she continued to publish books and give lectures . Some of her last contributions to the publishing world are her anthologies
Anthology
An anthology is a collection of literary works chosen by the compiler. It may be a collection of poems, short stories, plays, songs, or excerpts...
. After retirement, she built many anthologies that were made to point educators of children to collections of books that would accompany their teachings. Two of the well known anthologies include Time for Poetry (1951), and Arbuthnot Anthology of Children’s Literature (1953). Both of these have continued on with multiple editions .
Awards
May Hill Arbuthnot received two awards after her retirement. In 1959, the Women’s National Book Association honored her with the Constance Lindsay Skinner Medal (now named WNBA Award). This award honors “a living AmericanUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
woman who derives part or all of her income from books and allied arts, and who has done meritorious work in the world of books beyond the duties or responsibilities of her profession or occupation”. In 1964, she was recognized with the Regina Medal
Regina Medal
The Regina Medal is an American Literary award of the Catholic Library Association. It was established in 1959 to recognize "continued, distinguished contribution to children’s literature without regard to the nature of the contribution"....
from the Catholic Library Association. This medal honors excellence in the field of children’s literature. Its recipient is recognized for their “continued, distinguished contribution to children’s literature without regard to the nature of the contribution” .
The Arbuthnot Honor Lecture and Arbuthnot Award
First established in 1969 by the Association for Library Service to ChildrenAssociation for Library Service to Children
The Association for Library Service to Children is a division of the American Library Association. Its members are concerned with the profession of children's Librarianship...
(ALSC), a division of 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....
(ALA), and in conjunction with Scott, Foresman and Co., the Arbuthnot Honor Lecture
May Hill Arbuthnot Lecture
The May Hill Arbuthnot Lecture was established in 1969 to honor American educator May Hill Arbuthnot. The lecture is given each year by an author, artist, critic, librarian, historian or teacher who has made a significant contribution to the field of children's literature...
is put on by a person in the profession of children’s literature. This includes historians, librarians, educators, critics, or authors . In the inaugural lecture, Arbuthnot spoke of the importance of the “spoken word,” that she spent many years “…bringing children and books together by way of spoken word”. The Arbuthnot Award, given out by the International Reading Association
International Reading Association
The International Reading Association is an international professional organization that was created in 1956 to improve reading instruction, facilitate dialogue about research on reading, and encourage the habit of reading....
, is a yearly $800 awarded to excellence in teaching having to do with children or young adult literature at the college level .
Conclusion
Her philosophy can be further explained by her introduction to the book, The Real Mother GooseMother Goose
The familiar figure of Mother Goose is an imaginary author of a collection of fairy tales and nursery rhymes which are often published as Mother Goose Rhymes. As a character, she appears in one "nursery rhyme". A Christmas pantomime called Mother Goose is often performed in the United Kingdom...
, by Blanche Fisher Wright
Blanche Fisher Wright
Blanche Fisher Wright is the illustrator of The Real Mother Goose, originally published in 1916.-External links:...
. In this introduction, she explains her idea of the importance of books for children. She believed a very simple philosophy of books to be possible of garnering huge interest from children, and in turn, children will increase their literacy skills by enjoying and rereading them over and over. Also, parents have the ability to help children learn just by reading and interacting with them. She describes how the hardware of the book helps to facilitate learning. She goes on to describe this learning style by saying, “As a result, children will know more words and speak them more crisply and clearly than they would have without Mother Goose. Above all, they will carry with them some feeling for the fun, freshness and sheer delight of poetry. All this because of Mother Goose.”