Simon, Charlie May Hogue, 1897-1977

Charlie May Hogue Simon, one of Arkansas's leading literary figures, was born in Monticello, Arkansas, on August 17, 1897. She attended Memphis State University in Tennessee. She also studied at Stanford University, California, the Chicago Art Institute, Illinois, and the Grande Chaumiere in Paris, France. Simon taught courses in creative writing at the University of Arkansas and appeared as a lecturer and teacher in creative writing seminars all over the country. She also taught English for three years at the Women's University of Tokyo, Japan. Simon is the author of twenty-seven books. Although she is most famous for her children's books, she was also a biographer, receiving the 1958 Albert Schweitzer Book Prize for A Seed Shall Serve, the story of Toyohiko Kagawa, spiritual leader of Modern Japan. In 1970, the State Education Department honored Simon by establishing the Charlie May Simon Award for Children's Literature. Simon was married to John Gould Fletcher, Arkansas's 1939 Pulitzer prize-winning poet. Charlie May Hogue Simon died in 1977.

Arkansas author.

This collection contains materials relating to Arkansas author Charlie May Hogue Simon. Included are the original manuscript and galley proof for All Men Are Brothers: A Biography of Albert Schweitzer, as well as newspaper articles, book reviews and memorabilia. Charlie May Hogue was born August 17, 1897 in Monticello, Drew County, Arkansas, the daughter of Charles Wayman and Mary Gill Hogue. Her family moved to Memphis, Tennessee when she was a small child. Hogue attended Memphis State University, Chicago Art Institute and Le Grand Chaumiere in Paris for her education. While in Paris, Hogue married Howard Simon, an artist, in 1926. He later illustrated several of her books. The two divorced in 1936. Later that same year, Simon married Arkansas poet John Gould Fletcher. They resided at Johnswood, in West Little Rock, until Simon's death in 1977. Although Charlie May Simon is best remembered as an author of children's books, she also wrote for adults. Notable among her books for adults are biographies of Albert Schweitzer, Andrew Carnegie, and Martin Buber. During her career, Simon wrote twenty-seven books for children and adults.