Davis, Mary Gould, 1882-1956

Mary Gould Davis (1882-1956) was an author, editor, children's librarian, and storyteller. She wrote books for children and edited collections of verse.

From the description of Mary Gould Davis papers, 1927-1959. (New York Public Library). WorldCat record id: 122534523

From the guide to the Mary Gould Davis papers, 1927-1959, (The New York Public Library. Manuscripts and Archives Division.)

Born February 13th, 1882, in Bangor, Maine. Mary Gould Davis and her family moved to Middlesboro, Kentucky, before settling in New York in 1896. Davis began her career as an assistant librarian at Brooklyn Public Library in 1905. She moved to the New York Public Library in 1910 as an assistant and in 1913 became a children's librarian there. She was promoted in 1922 to supervisor storytelling, a position she held until her retirement on December 31, 1944. Davis was a member of American Library Association and New York Library Association. In the course of her professional life, she worked as an advocate for children, books, and folklore in the capacities of writer, editor, librarian, and teacher as well as storyteller. She authored and edited several books, including: The Truce of the Wolf & Other Tales of Old Italy; The Girls Book of Verse; The Handsome Donkey; The Sandy Kingdom; With Cap & Bells. For many years, Davis taught a course in storytelling at Columbia University's Library School. She was widely respected as a master storyteller, is possesion of a rich voice, perfect timing, and controlled gestures. She died in New York City in April 15, 1956, at the age of 74.

Biography source: http://books.google.com/books?id=JMH7RkYRh0gC&pg=PA43&lpg=PA43&dq=biography+of+mary+gould+davis&source=web&ots=UYfKsBC0xN&sig=7pw8kgeiTTMACIRWsh6r761z3wg#PPP1,M1 January 2nd, 2007

From the guide to the Mary Gould Davis papers, 1935, (University of Minnesota Libraries Children's Literature Research Collections [clrc])