Esther Forbes facts for kids

Esther Louise Forbes (born June 28, 1891 – died August 12, 1967) was an American writer. She wrote many historical novels and books for children. She was also a historian. Esther Forbes won two very important awards: the Pulitzer Prize and the Newbery Medal. She was also the first woman to join the American Antiquarian Society. This is a group that studies American history.

Early Life and Education

Esther Forbes was born on June 28, 1891. Her parents were William and Harriette Merrifield Forbes. She was born in Westborough, Massachusetts. In 1898, her family moved to Worcester, Massachusetts.

She went to Bancroft School in Worcester. From 1909 to 1912, she studied at Bradford Academy. This was a junior college in Bradford, Massachusetts.

In 1916, Esther joined her older sisters in Madison, Wisconsin. Her sisters were Cornelia and Katherine. While there, Esther took classes at the University of Wisconsin.

Her Writing Career

While in Wisconsin, Esther Forbes joined a student magazine. It was called the Wisconsin Literary Magazine. Another famous writer, Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, was also on the board.

In 1919, Esther went back to Worcester. Soon after, she started working for a publishing company. It was called Houghton Mifflin Company in Boston. From 1924 to 1926, she wrote articles for a newspaper. This newspaper was the Boston Evening Transcript.

Esther Forbes married Albert L. Hoskins, Jr. in 1926. After getting married, she left her job at Houghton Mifflin. The couple moved to New York City.

Her first novel was called O Genteel Lady!. It was published in 1926. This book was chosen for the "Book of the Month Club." In 1928, her book A Mirror for Witches came out.

In 1933, Esther and Albert Hoskins divorced. She kept her married name, Hoskins. But she chose to write her books using her maiden name, Esther Forbes.

After her divorce, Forbes returned to Worcester in 1933. She lived with her mother and siblings. Her mother, Harriette M. Forbes, helped her a lot. They worked together on research for her novels. They often used the American Antiquarian Society library.

Esther Forbes wrote several historical novels. These books were set in New England. They covered times from the early colonies to the first years of the United States. Some of these books include Miss Marvel (1935), Paradise (1937), and The General's Lady (1938).

In 1942, Forbes wrote a biography about Paul Revere. It was called Paul Revere and the World He Lived In. This book was very important. It won the 1943 Pulitzer Prize for History. The Pulitzer Prize is a major award for writing. In 1943, she also received an honorary degree from Clark University.

Her most famous book, Johnny Tremain, was published in 1943. This book is about a boy during the American Revolution. It won the Newbery Medal in 1944. The Newbery Medal is a top award for children's literature.

Other books she wrote include America's Paul Revere (1946) and The Boston Book (1947). In 1947, she won a large award for her upcoming book. This book was The Running of the Tide, published in 1948.

In 1949, she became a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Her book Rainbow on the Road was published in 1954. In 1960, Esther Forbes made history. She became the first woman to be elected to the American Antiquarian Society.

Later Life and Death

Esther Forbes died on August 12, 1967. She passed away in Worcester, Massachusetts. She had rheumatic heart disease.

Her original writings and notes were given to Clark University. The money from her books was given to the American Antiquarian Society. They also have her research notes. These notes were for a book she never finished. It was about witchcraft in early New England.

Famous Quote

Esther Forbes wrote many wise things. Here is one of her quotes:

Most American heroes of the Revolutionary period are by now two men, the actual man and the romantic image. Some are even three men — the actual man, the image, and the de-bunked remains.

—Paul Revere and the World He Lived In, note 54.

Her Books

• Oh Genteel Lady! (1926)
• A Mirror for Witches (1928)
• Miss Marvel (1935)
• Paradise (1937)
• The General's Lady (1938)
• Paul Revere and the World He Lived In (1942)
• Johnny Tremain (1943)
• The Boston Book (1947)
• America's Paul Revere (1948)
• The Running of the Tide (1948)
• Rainbow on the Road (1954)

See also

In Spanish: Esther Forbes para niños