Ernestine Gilbreth Carey facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ernestine Gilbreth Carey
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| Born |
Ernestine Moller Gilbreth
April 5, 1908 New York City, New York, U.S.
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| Died | November 4, 2006 (aged 98) Fresno, California, U.S.
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| Education | Smith College |
| Known for | Cheaper by the Dozen Belles on Their Toes |
| Spouse(s) |
Charles Everett Carey
(m. 1930; died 1986) |
| Children | 2 |
| Parents |
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| Relatives | Frank Bunker Gilbreth Jr. (brother) Robert Moller Gilbreth (brother) |
Ernestine Moller Gilbreth Carey (born April 5, 1908 – died November 4, 2006) was an American writer. She is best known for co-writing the popular books Cheaper by the Dozen and Belles on Their Toes. These books shared funny stories about her large family and were later made into movies.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Ernestine Moller Gilbreth was born in New York City on April 5, 1908. Her parents were Frank B. and Lillian (Moller) Gilbreth. They were experts in something called scientific management. This meant they studied how people worked to make things more efficient. They were pioneers in time and motion study, which looked at the best ways to do tasks.
Ernestine was the third oldest of twelve children. Eleven of her siblings lived to be adults. She grew up in Montclair, New Jersey, in a very unique home.
Just before Ernestine finished high school, her father passed away. This meant she had to wait a year before going to college. Her mother, Lillian, had to quickly return to work. She continued the important work she and her husband had started.
In 1929, Ernestine graduated from Smith College. She studied English there.
Ernestine's Writing Career
After college, Ernestine Gilbreth Carey started working at Macy's in 1930. She was a buyer and manager there. She worked at Macy's until 1944.
Her family then moved to Manhasset on Long Island. Ernestine spent more time with her children. But she soon felt she needed another challenge. She began writing a story about her childhood. It was based on real events.
Cheaper by the Dozen and Belles on Their Toes
After World War II, Ernestine's brother, Frank, Jr., came home. He was a journalist before the war. Their mother suggested Ernestine share her story with him. Frank, Jr. helped make the writing better and added more humor.
Their book, Cheaper by the Dozen, was published in 1948. It became very popular. An eponymous 1950 film was made based on the book. They then wrote a successful sequel called Belles on Their Toes in 1950. This book also became an eponymous 1952 film.
Because they shared their family stories, Ernestine and Frank, Jr. decided to share all the money from the books and movies. They split it evenly among their siblings and their mother.
Later Books and Efforts
Ernestine Gilbreth Carey published three more books in the 1950s. These were Jumping Jupiter (1952), Rings around Us (1956), and Giddy Moment (1958). Rings around Us told the story of her meeting her husband. It also covered events up to her daughter dancing the Charleston in high school. However, none of these books became as famous as Cheaper by the Dozen.
Later, Ernestine had trouble finding publishers for her last two novels. These were As Silver is Tried (1960s) and Razzle Dazzle (1970s). After her mother died in 1972, Ernestine became the main family historian. She wanted to make sure her parents' achievements were remembered. She was especially proud of her mother's long career as an engineer. Ernestine spent many years researching and writing about her parents. But she could not find a publisher for these biographies.
Community Involvement
Besides writing, Ernestine was active in a group called Right to Read, Inc.. This group worked against censorship. She strongly supported public libraries. She served as a trustee for the Manhasset Public Library from the 1950s until 1959. That's when her family moved to Arizona.
In the 1950s and early 1960s, Ernestine also had a successful career as a speaker. She often spoke to women's clubs and local libraries. Her talks were mostly about her family and the "right to read" anything one wanted. She was also an active alumna of Smith College. She held positions in local Smith College clubs. She was a trustee for Smith College from 1967 to 1972.
Personal Life
In 1930, Ernestine married Charles Everett ("Chick") Carey Sr. He was a salesman. They had two children: Lillian (Jill) Carey Barley (born 1938) and Charles Everett Carey Jr. (born 1942). Both children were born in New York City. Ernestine returned to work soon after each child was born.
Later Life and Death
Ernestine Gilbreth Carey lived in Reedley, California. She passed away from natural causes in Fresno, California, on November 4, 2006. She was 98 years old.
Works
- Cheaper by the Dozen (1st ed.). Thomas Y. Crowell. 1948. ASIN B001ACNZYK. (with Frank Gilbreth Jr.)
- Belles on Their Toes (1st ed.). Thomas Y. Crowell. 1950. ASIN B0007F54BI. (with Frank Gilbreth Jr.)
- Jumping Jupiter (1st ed.). Little, Brown and Company. 1956. ASIN B000J2UUVI.
- Rings Around Us (1st ed.). Little Brown & Co. 1956. ASIN B0000CJJI9.
- Giddy Moment (1st ed.). Little, Brown. 1958. ASIN B0006AVF3A.
See also
In Spanish: Ernestine Gilbreth Carey para niños
