Alice Riley facts for kids

Alice Cushing Donaldson Riley (1860 – 1955) was an American author who wrote many things for children. She was known for her poems, stories, books, and songs. She also helped start many art clubs and centers in Illinois. These included the Riley Circle, the Drama Club of Evanston, and the Evanston Arts Center. She even helped inspire the Drama League of America!

One of her most famous works is "Slumber Boat." This was a children's lullaby she wrote with her good friend, Dorothy "Jessie" L. Gaynor.

Early Life and Family

Alice Cushing Donaldson Riley was born on March 18, 1863. Her birthplace was a farm near Morrison, Illinois. She later passed away in Pasadena, California, in 1953.

She spent a big part of her life in Evanston, Illinois. From 1898 to 1931, she lived there, raising her children. During this time, she wrote many songs, plays, and stories for kids.

Growing Up

Alice grew up with strict parents. They did not let her or her sisters dance or play cards at home. Instead, they played games like authors, dominoes, and jack-straws.

Music was always a part of her home. Her father played the cello and sang in the church choir. Her sisters played the piano and sang too. Alice loved getting dressed up for trips to the village square, even when she was very young.

Discovering the Arts

When Alice was 16, she saw her first play. It was Richard Wagner’s Tannhäuser, performed by Gilmore’s Band. This experience excited her a lot! It made her love for drama last her whole life.

Alice also loved gardening from a young age. Her grandfather lived with her family when she was six. He was sick and asked her to help him in the garden.

Personal Life

Alice Cushing Donaldson married Harrison Riley on April 3, 1889. They had two children, a son named Donald and a daughter named Dorothy. The family lived in Evanston, Illinois, before moving to Pasadena, California, when they retired.

Career and Collaborations

In 1885, Alice moved to Chicago. She taught primary school girls at the Park Institute. In her free time, she learned French and music. After teaching, she worked in Nebraska, copying records.

When she returned to Chicago, Alice continued her French lessons. This is where she met her neighbor, Dorothy (Jessie) L. Gaynor, in 1896.

Working with Jessie Gaynor

Jessie Gaynor started a music class, and Alice joined it. Soon, they began to teach each other. Alice taught Jessie French, and Jessie taught Alice music composition.

One day, Alice wrote some lyrics for a lullaby lesson. Jessie was very impressed! She asked Alice to write lyrics for a song for her own daughter. They quickly started working together. Alice wrote the words, and Jessie created the music. Most of their songs were for children, inspired by everyday family life.

Their most famous song together is "Slumber Boat." Jessie Gaynor often sang it in her performances. The song became well-known. Soon, a company called John Church Company wanted to publish a children's book by them. The book, Playtime Songs, was a huge success! It was popular in the United States, Canada, England, and even in English schools in Japan.

Founding Arts Clubs

In 1901, Alice started having her friend Marie Bartlett over for tea. Soon, other neighbors joined them. This growing group was called the Riley Circle. They met at Alice's home in Evanston for many years.

At first, they discussed current events. But a lecture by James O’Donnell Bennett changed things. He said Chicago needed more people who understood drama. He also said women could help a lot with this goal. Alice said this lecture gave her the idea to change the Riley Circle. It became the Drama Club of Evanston. This club was officially started in 1909. It was the first drama club in the world, according to a newspaper from 1947.

In 1929, Alice was living between Evanston, Illinois, and Pasadena, California. During this time, she helped start the Evanston Art Center. She planned the Arts Center and worked with the library board. By October 1929, the Art Center was ready to open. It opened on October 28, 1929, at the Evanston Public Library.

Through her work with the Riley Circle, the Drama Club of Evanston, and the Evanston Arts Center, Alice made people in Evanston very interested in the arts. She gave women a place to talk about local art. She truly brought the arts to life in Evanston, which still has a lively art scene today.

Published Works

Alice Riley's most famous published works include:

• Songs of the Child World
• Lilts and Lyrics
• The Lost Princess Bo-Peep

These were all written with the composer, Jessie Gaynor (1863–1921).

Her most famous lyrics are probably for the lullaby "The Slumber Boat." It was also known as "The American Cradle Song." She wrote it for her own children, and it was published in 1898:

Baby's boat the silver moon/Sailing in the sky,
Sailing o'er the sea of sleep,/While the clouds go by.

[Refrain:]

Sail baby, sail,/Out upon that sea

Only don't forget to sail/Back again to me.

Baby's fishing for a dream,/Fishing near and far,
His line a silver moonbeam is,/His bait a silver star.

[Repeat Refrain]