Pillsbury, Dorothy L.

Dorothy L. Pillbury was a southwestern author noted for her books discussing the meshing of the Indian, Spanish and Anglo cultures in northern New Mexcio. A social worker and director of social work in Los Angles, California for fifteen years, she attended Pomona College, The University of Southern California, and the University of New Mexico, Mexico and Puerto Rico. Her work appeared in The Christian Science Monitor, Coronet, Reader's Digest, and Land.

Dorothy L. Pillbury was a southwestern author noted for her books which discussed the meshing of the Indian, Spanish and Anglo cultures in northern New Mexcio. A social worker and director of social work in Los Angles, California, for fifteen years she attended Pomona College, The University of Southern Californai, and the University of New Mexico, Mexico and Puerto Rico. Her work as appeared in The Christian Science Monitor, Coronet, Reader's Digest, and Land .

Dorothy L. Pillsbury was born in May of 1888, in New Jersey. She was schooled in California, New Mexico, Mexico, and Puerto Rico where she conducted research for her writing. After moving to New Mexico she became a full time writer. Pillsbury's four published books relate to the culture of New Mexico. She died in Santa Fe on April 15, 1967.

Dorothy Pillsbury with the New Mexico State Bookmobile at Aztec, New Mexico. Part of the Dorothy Pillsbury Pictorial Collection PICT 000-271.

Dorothy L. Pillsbury was born in May of 1888, in New Jersey. Her father was William M. Pinckney. Pillsbury graduated from Pomona College, California and attended the University of Southern California, the University of New Mexico, as well as schools in Mexico and Puerto Rico where she conducted research for her writing. She spent fifteen years doing social work in Los Angeles before moving to New Mexico to become a full time writer. She contributed to many magazines including New Mexico Magazine, Southwest Review, Reader's Digest, and the Christian Science Monitor, where much of the material in her books appeared.

Pillsbury's four published books relate to the culture of New Mexico and include, No High Adobe (1950), Adobe Doorways (1952), Roots in Adobe (1959), and Star Over Adobe (1963). Because of her many published articles, particularly her Christian Science Monitor writings, she corresponded with "fans" who wished to relocate to New Mexico and the Southwest, those who with nostalgia recalled visits to New Mexico, aspiring writers, and those interested in Christian Science. In her correspondence, Pillsbury used her married name, Dorothy Pillsbury, for everything relating to New Mexico and her maiden name, Dorothy Pinckney for everything else.

Dorothy Pillsbury lived in Santa Fe, New Mexico for 25 years. She was a winner of the Zia Award, presented by the New Mexico Press Women's Association. She died in Santa Fe at the age of 78, on April 15, 1967.