Yates, Elizabeth, 1905-2001

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Elizabeth McGreal Yates was born in Buffalo, New York in 1905. She wrote books for both adults and children, but is best remembered as an author of children's books. A notable success was her 1950 publication of Amos Fortune, a children's book based on the true story of an African prince who becomes a slave in America and later gains his freedom. The book won the John Newbery Award in 195l. She died in 2001 in Concord, New Hampshire.Biographical Source: Something About the Author, volume 128, p. 248.

From the description of Elizabeth Yates Papers 1951, 1967. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 430051518

Elizabeth Yates was born in Buffalo, NY; she attended schools there and in Mamorenek, NY. A well-known author of children's books, she also wrote books for adults. Yates lived in Europe for ten years, writing travel stories for newspapers and magazines. She later based many of her books on her experiences overseas. After returning to the United States before the beginning of World War II, she settled with her husband in Peterborough, NH, where she continued to write, lecture and serve on the boards of several charitable organizations. Yates received a number of awards including the Newbery Medal for Amos Fortune, Free Man, and received honorary degrees from several colleges including one from Franklin Pierce College in 1981.

From the description of Elizabeth Yates Papers 1944-1948. (General Conference Mennonite Church). WorldCat record id: 58431430

Flyer for Elizabeth Yates' visit as Writer-in-Residence at Aurora College, November 16-20, 1964

Elizabeth Yates was born and educated in Buffalo, New York. She married William McGreal in 1929 and for ten years they traveled extensively and lived in London. After their return to the U.S., they made their home on a farm in Peterborough, New Hampshire. Yates was the author of more than twenty-one books for adults and children. Her best-known work is Amos Fortune: Free Man (1950) which won the Newberry Medal, the Herald Tribune Award, and the William Allen White Children's Award. Her book Rainbow Round the World won the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom Award. In addition to writing, Yates served as staff member for various writers' conferences (such as those at the University of Connecticut, the University of Indiana, and the University of New Hampshire ), as a lecturer, and as the Director of the New Hampshire Association for the Blind.

Effie Douglass Putnam was the sister of Loretto Putnam, the second wife of Elizabeth Yates' grandfather. Effie was born in Flint, Michigan and went as a young girl to Paris to study the harp and remained there until she died in 1943. She published several books, including Margaret and The Singer's Story (1888) and Cirillo (1903).

From the guide to the Elizabeth Yates Papers MS 179., 1829-1964, (Sophia Smith Collection)

Author.

Elizabeth Yates was born and educated in Buffalo, New York. She married William McGreal in 1929 and for ten years they traveled extensively and lived in London. After their return to the U.S., they made their home on a farm in Peterborough, New Hampshire. Yates was the author of more than twenty-one books for adults and children. Her best-known work is Amos Fortune: Free Man (1950) which won the Newberry Medal, the Herald Tribune Award, and the William Allen White Children's Award. Her book Rainbow Round the World won the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom Award. In addition to writing, Yates served as staff member for various writers' conferences (such as those at the University of Connecticut, the University of Indiana, and the University of New Hampshire), as a lecturer, and as the Director of the New Hampshire Association for the Blind.

From the description of Papers, 1829-1964. (Smith College). WorldCat record id: 51671972

Elizabeth McGreal Yates was born in Buffalo, New York in 1905. She wrote books for both adults and children, but is best remembered as an author of children's books. A notable success was her 1950 publication of Amos Fortune, a children's book based on the true story of an African prince who becomes a slave in America and later gains his freedom. The book won the John Newbery Award in 195l. She died in 2001 in Concord, New Hampshire.

Biographical Source: Something About the Author, volume 128, p. 248.

From the guide to the Elizabeth Yates Papers, 1951, 1967, (University of Minnesota Libraries Children's Literature Research Collections [clrc])

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
referencedIn Tremaine, Morris S. Yates family papers, 1889-1989. Buffalo & Erie County Public Library, Rare Books
creatorOf Yates, Elizabeth, 1905-2001. Papers, 1829-1964. Smith College, Neilson Library
creatorOf Yates, Elizabeth, 1905-2001. The guardian heart / Elizabeth Yates. Buffalo & Erie County Public Library, Rare Books
referencedIn Jones, Elizabeth Orton, 1910-2005. Oral memoirs of Elizabeth Orton Jones, 2004. University of Oregon Libraries
creatorOf McGreal, Elizabeth Yates, 1905-2001. Shieling Forest collection, 1962-1992. Peterborough Historical Society
creatorOf Yates, Elizabeth, 1905-2001. Letter. January 6, 1964, Peterborough, New Hampshire to Miss Burkett. Haverford College Library
creatorOf Elizabeth Yates Papers, 1951, 1967 University of Minnesota Libraries Children's Literature Research Collections
creatorOf Yates, Elizabeth, 1905-2001. Elizabeth Yates Papers 1951, 1967. University of Minnesota, Minneapolis
referencedIn Oral Memoirs of Elizabeth Orton Jones, 2004 University of Oregon Libraries. Special Collections and University Archives
referencedIn Nelson, Hugh, 1750-1800. Assignment of bond, 1789 September 1. Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Library
creatorOf Unwin, Nora S. (Nora Spicer), 1907-1982. Nora S. Unwin papers, 1926-1973. University of Oregon Libraries
creatorOf Elizabeth Yates Papers MS 179., 1829-1964 Sophia Smith Collection
creatorOf Magoun, F. Alexander, 1896-. Three articles on Amos Fortune. Minuteman Library Network
creatorOf Yates, Elizabeth, 1905-2001. Elizabeth Yates Papers 1944-1948. Keene State College, Wallace E. Mason Library
creatorOf Yates, Elizabeth, 1905-2001. Autograph and typed letters signed (8) : Peterborough, New Hampshire, to Edward Wagenknecht, 1952-1974 and [n.d.]. Pierpont Morgan Library.
creatorOf Magoun, F. Alexander, 1896-. Three articles on Amos Fortune. Minuteman Library Network
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
associatedWith Crandall, Prudence. person
associatedWith Donor: Yates, Elizabeth, 1905- person
associatedWith Emerson, Ralph Waldo, 1803-1882. person
associatedWith Jones, Elizabeth Orton, 1910-2005. person
associatedWith Nelson, Hugh, 1750-1800. person
associatedWith Pierpont Morgan Library. Wagenknecht Collection. corporateBody
associatedWith Putnam, Effie Douglas person
associatedWith Putnam, Effie Douglass. person
associatedWith Unwin, Nora S. (Nora Spicer), 1907-1982. person
associatedWith Vining, Elizabeth Gray, b. 1902. person
associatedWith Wagenknecht, Edward, 1900-2004, person
Place Name Admin Code Country
New York (State)--Buffalo
United States
New Hampshire
Subject
Publishers and publishing
Publishers and publishing
Authors, American
Authors, American
Autographs
Celebrities
Children's literature
Children's literature
Children's literature, American
Children's Literature Festival
Christian fiction, American
Manuscripts
Occupation
Activity

Person

Birth 1905-12-06

Death 2001-07-29

Female

Americans

English

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