Bernard Marshall

American children's writer, historical novelist

Bernard Gay Marshall (August 23, 1875 - December 14, 1945) was an American writer. He wrote long stories about people who lived in the past. His stories were for children and young adults. One of his stories, Cedric the Forester, was a Newbery Medal Honor Book in 1922.[1]

Life change

Bernard Gay Marshall was born in North Easton, Massachusetts. His father was named Francis F. Marshall. His mother was named Helen F. Doten Marshall. He lived in North Easton until he grew up. He always wanted to be a writer who made up stories. He did not think he could earn much money by making up stories, so he worked at other jobs. Some of those jobs were playing music, writing down the words that people said when they talked about the law, and writing to tell people about how machines worked or about things that they could buy. During World War I he worked at making ships.[2] In July 1903, Bernard Gay Marshall married Ida M. Conklin. They had one daughter. Her name was Harriet C. Marshall.[3]

Writing change

Bernard Gay Marshall wrote five adventure stories for children and young adults. He also wrote a lot of short stories and nonfiction articles for magazines. Some of these magazines were Sunset, Boys' Life, St Nicholas, Munsey's Magazine, The American Magazine, and The American Boy.[4]

What People Thought About His Writing change

His first book, Cedric the Forester, was made a Newbery Medal Honor Book in 1922. Some people said that Bernard Marshall's books were as good as Sir Walter Scott's books,[5] but other people said they were not quite that good.[6] A lot of people said that his books were so good that grown-ups and children should all read them.[7][8][9]

List of Books by Bernard Gay Marshall change

All of these books were published by D. Appleton, and the pictures were drawn by J. Scott Williams.

  • Cedric the Forester was published in 1921. The book had 318 pages. The story was set in the time of the signing of Magna Carta.
  • Walter of Tiverton was published in 1923. The book had 263 pages. The story was set in the time of King Richard the Lionheart.
  • The Torch Bearers: A Tale of Cavalier Days was also published in 1923. The book had 317 pages. The story was set in the time of the English Civil War.
  • Redcoat and Minuteman was published in 1924. The book had 277 pages. The story was set in the time of the American Revolution.
  • Old Hickory's Prisoner: A Tale of the Second War for Independence was published in 1925. The book had 254 pages. The story was set in the time of the War of 1812.

References change

  1. "Newbery Awards Archived 2011-10-24 at the Wayback Machine". Retrieved 2012-05-15.
  2. Overton, Grant (2004). Cargoes for Crusoes. Kessinger Publishing:244.: 244 
  3. Who was Who Among North American Authors, 1921-1939 vol. 2. Gale Research. 1976. p. 969.
  4. Who's Who Among North American Authors. Gale Research. 1935. p. 1065.
  5. "Books for Boys and Girls". The Unitarian Register 100: 1238. December 29, 1921. Retrieved June 14, 2012.
  6. Jordan, Alice M (1921). "Reviews for Children's Book Week". Libraries: a monthly review of library matters and methods 26: 519. Retrieved June 14, 2012.
  7. "The Bookman's Guide to Fiction". The Bookman: 638. August 1893. Retrieved June 14, 2012.
  8. "The Book Table: The New Books". The Outlook: 193. June 13, 1923. Retrieved June 14, 2012.
  9. "The New Books". The Saturday Review. March 21, 1925.