Armstrong Sperry
Armstrong Sperry (1897-1976) was an American author and illustrator known for his captivating adventure stories aimed primarily at young readers. Born in New Haven, Connecticut, he was inspired by tales of South Sea adventures from his great-grandfather, which fueled his desire to explore and document diverse cultures. After serving in the U.S. Navy and studying at Yale University and in Paris, Sperry began his career as an illustrator before combining his artistic talent with writing.
His most notable work, "Call It Courage," tells the story of a Polynesian boy named Mafatu who overcomes his fear of the sea, a narrative that celebrates personal growth and bravery. Sperry's experiences living among the people of Bora Bora enriched his storytelling with authentic cultural details. He earned significant accolades, including the John Newbery Medal in 1941 for "Call It Courage," and his works often featured themes related to native peoples, whether from the South Pacific or Native American tribes. While some of his depictions may be viewed through a contemporary lens as problematic, his books remain significant for their adventurous spirit and cultural exploration.
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Armstrong Sperry
- Born: November 7, 1897
- Birthplace: New Haven, Connecticut
- Died: April 28, 1976
- Place of death: Hanover, New Hampshire
Biography
Armstrong Sperry was born November 7, 1897, in New Haven, Connecticut, to Sereno Clark and Nettie (Alling) Sperry. He was influenced as a youth by stories his great-grandfather told of adventures in the South Seas. Sperry hoped to have such adventures of his own one day. After high school and a stint in the U.S. Navy in 1917, he attended Yale University School of Fine Art and the Arts Student League, graduating in 1921. He then traveled to Paris, France, to study at the Académie Colarossis in 1922. He married Margaret Mitchell, June 12, 1930; they had two children. Sperry died April 28, 1976, in Hanover, New Hampshire.
Sperry began his career as an illustrator before turning to writing. He is best known for combining his writing and illustrating in exciting adventure books for boys in the vein of Robert Louis Stevenson, such as All Sail Set: A Romance of the “Flying Cloud.” Between 1925 and 1928, he traveled to the French-owned islands in the South Pacific, living among the natives of Bora Bora to draw the native peoples and locale. While there, he began recording the legends and folklore of their culture. In addition to French, he learned to speak Tahitian and traveled to the West Indies, as well as across Europe and North America to gather story ideas. Drawing on his travels, he most often wrote about native peoples, whether American Indians or those from the islands of the South Pacific or West Indies.
Using the language and cadence of an oral storyteller, Sperry crafted many adventure stories for boys. Call It Courage reads like a fictionalized biography, telling the story of Mafatu, a fifteen-year-old Polynesian boy who fears the sea among a people who live by it. Mafatu is pitied by this people. His fear is a disgrace for his father, the chief, so he sets outs with his dog to face his fear. After facing adventures and finding within himself the strength to survive, he returns in glory, having become a man worthy of his people.
Sperry earned the John Newbery Medal for the most distinguished contribution to literature for American children in 1941 for Call It Courage. All Sail Set was a Newbery Honor Book in 1936. Storm Canvas received the New York Herald Tribune Children’s Spring Book Festival Award in 1944 and The Rain Forest received the Boys’ Clubs of America Junior Book Award in 1949.
Though the details in his stories might be seen today as racist, Sperry crafted many fine adventure stories for boys. His books brought the rich, exotic setting of the South Seas or the Native American worlds of the Americas to life for readers of his day.