Van Loon, Hendrik Willem, 1882-1944

Hendrik Willem van Loon was born in Rotterdam, Holland on January 14, 1882. He attended Cornell University, graduating in 1905. In 1906 he married Eliza Ingersoll Bowditch and began working for the Associated Press in New York City, Washington, D.C., Moscow, and Warsaw. His son Henry Bowditch van Loon was born on June 22, 1907, and Gerard Willem van Loon on January 16, 1911. Hendrik van Loon received his Ph.D. from the University of Munich in 1911, and in 1913 his book THE FALL OF THE DUTCH REPUBLIC was published. He lectured at Cornell on European History from 1915-1916. He married Helen Criswell ("Jimmie") in 1920 and in 1921 received the Newberry Medal for THE STORY OF MANKIND. From 1922-23 he was a professor at Antioch College, Ohio, and was Associate Editor of the BALTIMORE SUN from 1923-24. He did his first radio broadcast on Christmas Day, 1929, and started radio broadcasts at NBC in 1932. He did lectures for the Cunard Cruise Line on the FRANCONIA in 1934. In 1939-40 his radio broadcasts were directed to Holland from WRVL in Boston. He died in Old Greenwich, Connecticut on March 11, 1944.

From the description of Hendrik Willem van Loon Papers, 1884-1972. (Cornell University Library). WorldCat record id: 64072054

Hendrik Willem Van Loon was a journalist, academic, and author. Born in the Netherlands, he emigrated to America and attended Cornell and Harvard. His first job was with the Associated Press, covering Russia during the Revolution and Holland during World War I. He became a successful lecturer and author, writing histories in an informal, anecdotal style that appealed to juvenile and popular audiences. He wrote fiction as well as history, and is probably best remembered for The Story of Mankind, which he also illustrated, winner of the first Newberry Award.

From the description of Hendrik Van Loon letters, Christmas card, and notes, 1925-1932. (Pennsylvania State University Libraries). WorldCat record id: 61143698

Author, historian, illustrator, and journalist.

From the description of Hendrik Willem Van Loon papers, 1933-1972. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 70984129

Correspondence to Lewis Mumford from Hendrik Willem Van Loon and his wife, Jimmie Van Loon.

From the description of Letters, 1921-1945, to Lewis Mumford. (University of Pennsylvania Library). WorldCat record id: 155877494

Hendrik Willem Van Loon was born on January 14, 1882, in Rotterdam (the Netherlands). After emigrating to the United States in 1903, he graduated from Cornell University and got a job at the Associated Press in Washington, D.C. During his lifetime, Van Loon worked as a correspondent for the A.P. throughout Europe; taught history at a number of American universities; and was a well-known radio personality, all in addition to his prolific writing career. His first book was a nonfiction account for an academic audience, but by 1917 Van Loon had also started writing historical works for children. His first book for children, "History with a Match: Being an Account of the Earliest Navigators" was his debut as an illustrator. It was later republished under several titles, including "The Romance of Discovery" and "A Short History of Discovery." He claimed to have illustrated the book, quite literally, with a match dipped in ink. In 1921 Van Loon's most famous book, "The Story of Mankind," was published and won the very first Newbery Medal in 1922. Van Loon tired of being considered only an author for children and attempted to write denser historical works, with limited market success. Between Van Loon's histories, books for children, autobiographies, and works as an illustrator, he published more than fifty books in his lifetime. He died of heart failure on March 11, 1944.

From the description of Hendrik Willem Van Loon typescript and illustrations, 1917. (Franklin & Marshall College). WorldCat record id: 777206920

Hendrik Willem Van Loon was born in Rotterdam, Holland in 1882. He moved to the United States in 1902 and received Harvard and Cornell Universities, receiving his Bachelor's degree in 1905. He earned his Ph.D. at the University of Munich in 1911. During his varied career he worked as a teacher, historian, journalist, and illustrator. He received the first Newbery Medal for his book, The Story of Mankind. He was a prolific author of books for both adults and children. Biographical source: Something About the Author, vol. 18, p. 284-292.

From the description of Hendrik Willem Van Loon Papers 1936-1939. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 437298008

Hendrik Willem Van Loon was born in Rotterdam, Holland in 1882. He moved to the United States in 1902 and received Harvard and Cornell Universities, receiving his Bachelor's degree in 1905. He earned his Ph.D. at the University of Munich in 1911. During his varied career he worked as a teacher, historian, journalist, and illustrator. He received the first Newbery Medal for his book, The Story of Mankind . He was a prolific author of books for both adults and children.

Biographical source: Something About the Author, vol. 18, p. 284-292.

From the guide to the Hendrik Willem Van Loon Papers, 1936-1939, (University of Minnesota Libraries Children's Literature Research Collections [clrc])