Patricia Beatty
Patricia Beatty (1922-1991) was an American author and children's librarian known for her engaging historical novels aimed at young readers. Born in Portland, Oregon, she was raised in various locations due to her father's career in the U.S. Coast Guard, which provided her with a unique perspective on Native American cultures, particularly after being adopted by the Quillayute tribe in Washington. Beatty pursued her education at Reed College, earning a B.A. in history and literature before becoming a children's librarian and later a teacher in Idaho.
Throughout her career, Beatty was dedicated to writing and researched extensively to bring authenticity to her work. She published her first book, "Indian Canoemaker," in 1957 and went on to write numerous acclaimed historical novels, many of which received literary awards, including the Commonwealth Club of California Medal and the Scott O'Dell Award. In addition to her writing, she contributed to the literary community by establishing the John and Patricia Beatty Award, recognizing excellence in juvenile literature. Beatty's legacy continues to inspire young readers and writers, highlighting the importance of historical storytelling.
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Subject Terms
Patricia Beatty
- Born: August 26, 1922
- Birthplace: Portland, Oregon
- Died: July 9, 1991
- Place of death: Riverside, California
Biography
Patricia Robbins Beatty was born on August 26, 1922, at Emmanuel Hospital in Portland, Oregon, to Walter Robbins, a U.S. Coast Guard commander, and Jessie Pauline Miller Robbins. She and her younger brother lived and attended schools wherever their father was assigned in Washington and Oregon, including Native American reservations, where they became familiar with Indian cultures. At Lapush, Washington, the Quillayute tribe adopted Beatty because her birthday coincided with a tribal celebration.
Beatty returned to her birthplace in 1935, graduating from high school there. She enrolled in Reed College at Portland, playing soccer and fencing for sport, writing a thesis on medieval history, and earning a B.A. in history and literature in 1944. In 1946, she became a children’s librarian in Idaho, and in 1947 she began taking graduate courses at the University of Idaho, studying there until 1950. During that time, she taught history and English at a high school in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.
In 1950, Beatty resided in Seattle, Washington, where she studied for a master’s degree in history at the University of Washington. On September 14, 1950, she married historian John Louis Beatty, and they had one daughter. Beatty worked while her husband completed his doctorate in French history. From 1952 to 1953, she lived in Wilmington, Delaware, where her husband taught at the University of Delaware and she was employed as a technical librarian for E.I. du Pont Company. When her husband accepted a professorship at the University of California at Riverside, Beatty moved to that city in 1953, working in the public library and specializing in reference work. Beatty taught extension courses in creative writing at the University of California campuses in Los Angeles and Riverside in the late- 1960’s.
Her husband died in 1975, and on July 31, 1977, she married economist Carl G. Uhr. In 1988, she created the John and Patricia Beatty Award, which the California Library Association presents annually to the year’s best juvenile books. Beatty died on July 9, 1991, from lung cancer at Riverside Community Hospital.
Beatty began writing in the mid-1950’s, selling her first book, Indian Canoemaker, the day her daughter was born in 1957. She wrote several historical novels with her first husband. She thoroughly researched her topics, traveling to England and Australia, hoping to intrigue young readers to explore history. Reviewers praised Beatty’s historical detail and realism.
Among her many literary prizes, Beatty received the Commonwealth Club of California Medal for Best Children’s Literature in 1965 for her book Campion Towers. The Society of Children’s Book Writers picked Beatty’s Red Rock over the River as a 1973 Golden Kite honor book. The Western Writers of America selected her novel Wait for Me, Watch for Me, Eula Bee as a 1978 honor book; her novel Lupita Mañana was a 1982 Jane Addams Children’s Book Award honor title. In 1983, Beatty received the Southern California Council on Children’s and Young People’s Literature Medal, recognizing her novel Jonathan Down Under. Her novel Charley Skedaddle won the 1987 Scott O’Dell Award honoring outstanding historical fiction.