Langton, Jane

Author and teacher of writing. Graduate of the University of Michigan (B.S., 1944 and M.A., 1945) and Radcliffe College (M.A., 1948).

From the description of Correspondence, 1981-1983, with Carlton F. Wells. (University of Michigan). WorldCat record id: 34364905

Author of children's books and suspense novels; resident of Lincoln, Mass.; b. 1922.

From the description of Vanderhoof Hardware Store booklet, 2004. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 244566231

Jane Gillson Langton received an A.M..m Radcliffe College in 1948.

From the description of Student paper, 1946. (Harvard University). WorldCat record id: 232009752

American author of children's and young adult fiction; received a Newbery Honor citation in 1981 for The Fledgling (1980).

From the description of The fragile flag : production material, ca. 1982-1984. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 62444591

From the description of The majesty of Grace : production material, ca. 1958-1972. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 62452051

From the description of The fledgling : production materail, ca. 1962-1980. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 62452050

From the description of Paper chains : production material, ca. 1974-1977. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 62452053

From the description of Papers, 1957-1984 (bulk 1961-1984). (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 62452048

From the description of The boyhood of Grace Jones : production material, ca. 1970-1972. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 62495261

From the description of The astonishing stereoscope : production material, ca. 1969-1971. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 62444590

From the description of The swing in the summerhouse : production material, ca. 1957-1967. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 62681170

From the description of The diamond in the window : production material, ca. 1960-1983. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 62681168

Jane Langton, nee Gillson was born December 30, 1922 in Boston. She graduated from the University of Michigan in 1944 and received her M.A. in 1945, and another M.A. from Radcliffe College in 1948. She studied at the Boston Museum School from 1958-1959 and in 1961 wrote and illustrated her first book for children The Majesty of Grace, a story about a young girl living during the depresssion who is convinced she is the future Queen of England. She continued to publish children's books, mostly illustrated by others, throughout the 1960-1980s including a series of books about the Hall family that live in Concord MA. The first book in the series, The Diamond in the Window (1962) introduced the characters and Langton's unique 'Nesbitian' blend of 'fantasy and realism' with 'an American flavor.' One of the last books in the series, The Fledgling (1980) tells of a girls 'whose dreams of flying become true when she rides on the back of a Canada goose.' The book received a Newbery Honor citation in 1981 and critics praised the series for its imaginative appeal.

Biographical Sources:

Something About the Author, vol 140, pp. 98-114.

Twentieth Century Children's Writers, 3rd ed., pp. 553-554.

From the guide to the Jane Langton Papers, 1957-1984, (University of Minnesota Libraries Children's Literature Research Collections)