James Reeves
James Reeves, born John Morris Reeves on July 1, 1909, in a suburb of London, England, was a prolific writer known primarily for his contributions to children's literature, poetry, and drama. He began writing poetry at an early age and pursued formal education at Stowe School and Jesus College, Cambridge, where he earned a master’s degree in English literature. Reeves embarked on a teaching career in 1933 before transitioning to full-time writing and editing in 1952. Throughout his career, he published over one hundred works, including twelve books of adult poetry, but he is especially celebrated for his children's poetry and fiction. Notable works include *The Wandering Moon* and the popular *Prefabulous Animiles* series, both characterized by lively rhythms and engaging sound qualities, which he developed due to his weak vision. Reeves served as the general editor for the Poetry Bookshelf series and Unicorn Books, cementing his influence in the literary world until his passing on May 1, 1978. While his children's poetry remains cherished, none of his books are currently in print, highlighting a gap between his past popularity and present availability.
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James Reeves
Poet
- Born: July 1, 1909
- Birthplace: London, England
- Died: May 1, 1978
Biography
John Morris Reeves, who wrote under the pseudonym James Reeves, was born on July 1, 1909, in a suburb of London, England. His parents were Albert John Reeves and Ethel Mary Blench Reeves; his sister, Joyce, became a writer, using the name Joyce Gard. Reeves started writing poetry at about the age of eleven and at age thirteen he entered Stowe School, a boarding school in the English countryside. He attended Jesus College, Cambridge University, completing a master’s degree in English language and literature and graduating with honors in 1931. In 1933 he began a career as a teacher, working in state schools and at a teachers training college until he became a full-time writer and editor in 1952. He married Mary Phillips in 1933, and the couple had three children. Mary died in 1966.
Reeves’s first book was The Natural Need (1935), a collection of poetry for adults published under the name James Reeves, the pseudonym he would use for most of the more than one hundred books he either wrote or edited. Although he published twelve books of adult poetry and several educational books, he is best known for his children’s fiction, poetry, and drama. His first children’s book was The Wandering Moon (1950), a poetry book that led to his being named general editor of the Poetry Bookshelf series published by William Heinemann Ltd., a post he held from 1951 until his death on May 1, 1978. He also served as a general editor for Unicorn Books in London from 1960 to 1978.
Reeves wrote eight poetry books for children, including Prefabulous Animiles (1957) and More Prefabulous Animiles (1975), both illustrated by Edward Ardizzone. He also published sixteen books of original fiction and dozens of retold stories from mythology, the Bible, folklore, and fairytales. Reeves’s poetry, prose, and drama are all noted for their rich sound qualities. He attributed this to the fact that he had weak vision and needed to have his own writing read aloud to him. Reeves’s children’s poetry was popular with children and adults and well-received by critics. His children’s poems are marked by strong rhythms and musicality, as well as by innocence, silliness, and good cheer. Although they are found in many public and school library collections, none of Reeves’s books remain in print.