Annie Fellows Johnston facts for kids
Annie Fellows Johnston (born 1863, died 1931) was an American writer who created stories for children. She is best known for her popular book series called The Little Colonel. This series later became a movie in 1935, starring Shirley Temple. Many of her books had pictures drawn by the photographer Kate Matthews. Annie Fellows Johnston grew up in McCutchanville, Indiana, a small town near Evansville, Indiana.
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About Annie Fellows Johnston
Annie Julia Fellows was born on May 15, 1863. Her father, Albion Fellows, was a minister. Her mother was Mary Erskine Fellows. Annie had a brother named Erwin and two sisters, Lura and Albion.
She went to the University of Iowa for one year. After that, she returned to Evansville. She worked as a teacher for three years. Then, she became a private secretary.
Annie married her cousin, William L. Johnstone. He was a widower with three children: Rena, John, and Mary. Sadly, Rena passed away in 1899. John died a few years later, around 1910 or 1911.
Life in Kentucky
In 1898, Annie Fellows Johnston moved to Pewee Valley, Kentucky. This move became permanent in 1911. She lived there until she passed away. Her stepdaughter, Mary Gardener Johnston, who was an artist, lived with her. Their home was called "The Beeches."
The Beeches was built in 1901. It was built by Mamie Craig Lawton. She was the widow of General Henry Ware Lawton. He was a general who died during the Spanish–American War. Some members of the Craig family inspired characters in Annie's "Little Colonel" stories.
Annie Fellows Johnston died at her home in Pewee Valley on October 5, 1931.
The Little Colonel Series
The Little Colonel series is a collection of 13 books. The first book, The Little Colonel, came out in 1895. These stories became very popular.
In 1935, a movie based on The Little Colonel was made. It starred the famous child actress Shirley Temple. Other well-known actors like Lionel Barrymore and "Bojangles" Robinson were also in the film.
Annie Fellows Johnston's books show what life was like a long time ago. They describe the Southern United States after the Civil War. Things were very different back then.
Books by Annie Fellows Johnston
Here are some of the books Annie Fellows Johnston wrote:
- Big Brother (1893)
- The Little Colonel (1895)
- Ole Mammy's Torment (1897)
- The Gate of the Giant Scissors (1898)
- Two Little Knights of Kentucky (1899)
- The Little Colonel's House Party (1900)
- The Little Colonel's Holiday (1901)
- The Little Colonel's Hero (1902)
- The Little Colonel at Boarding School (1904)
- The Little Colonel in Arizona (1904)
- In The Desert of Waiting (1905)
- The Little Colonel's Christmas Vacation (1905)
- The Little Colonel: Maid of Honor (1906)
- Travelers Five (1911)
- Legend of the Bleeding Heart (1907)
- Little Colonel's Knight Comes Riding (1907)
- The Little Colonel's Chum: Mary Ware (1908)
- The Rescue of the Princess Winsome (1908)
- Mary Ware in Texas (1910)
- Mary Ware's Promised Land (1912)
- Miss Santa Claus of the Pullman (1913)
- Georgina of the Rainbows (1916)
- Georgina's Service Stars (1918)
