Jay Williams
Jay Williams was an influential American author and actor born in Buffalo, New York, in 1914. Raised in Rochester and later New York City, he pursued a degree in English at Columbia University. Initially influenced by his father, a vaudeville actor, Williams began his career performing in the Catskills and later appeared in New York City productions. His military service in World War II interrupted his acting career, but he made a notable film appearance in "Little Fugitive" before transitioning to writing.
Williams became a prolific author, particularly known for his contributions to children's literature. He co-created the acclaimed Danny Dunn series, which featured a clever young inventor and a strong female character, Irene, who was an aspiring physicist. Williams's works were distinguished by their scientific accuracy and engaging narratives, earning him several literary awards. His book "Petronella," published in 1973, was groundbreaking for portraying a female protagonist as the hero of a fairy tale. Williams's legacy continues to impact children's literature, celebrating strong characters and innovative storytelling until his death in London in 1978.
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Jay Williams
Writer
- Born: May 31, 1914
- Birthplace: Buffalo, New York
- Died: July 12, 1978
- Place of death: London, England
Biography
Jay Williams was born in Buffalo, New York, in 1914. He grew up in Rochester, New York, and attended high school in New York City. After graduation, Williams briefly attended the University of Pennsylvania before transferring to Columbia University in New York City, where he majored in English.
William’s father, Max Jacobson, was a vaudevilleactor and producer. Having grown up with the theater as a major influence in his life, Williams planned to pursue a career as an actor. After finishing college, he began working as a stage manager and master of ceremonies for various vaudeville acts throughout the Catskill region of upper New York state. After two years as a vaudeville performer, Williams began appearing as a professional actor in New York City productions.
In 1941, Williams married Barbara Gordansky and began a family, which eventually included two children. Williams served in World War II as an army infantry soldier. After completing his military service, he returned to acting and landed the featured role in a film titled Little Fugitive. This role proved to be his only appearance on film. When Little Fugitive was completed, Williams ended his acting career and turned to writing instead.
Williams’s first published work was The Stolen Oracle, a historical mystery for young adults. He subsequently became a prolific author of fiction and nonfiction books for children. Williams was noted for being the first modern children’s author to feature a female character who was as intelligent as her male counterparts.
In the 1950’s, Williams began his most noted work, the Danny Dunn series, written with collaborator Raymond Abrashkin. This series featured the young inventor, Danny Dunn, and his female sidekick, Irene, an inspiring physicist. Together, Danny and Irene invented a homework machine and an automated house. They also experienced captivating adventures, including space travel, oceanic exploration, and time travel. Many books in the Danny Dunn series were noted for their carefully researched scientific facts and earned literary awards, including the Young Readers Choice Award from the Pacific Northwest Library Association.
In keeping with his portrayal of strong leading female characters, Williams published Petronella in 1973. This book, a feminist fairy tale, was hailed as a pioneering achievement in children’s literature; the story of a princess who rescued a prince was the first children’s fairy tale to cast the female character as the resourceful and courageous lead protagonist. Petronella won the 1974 Children’s Book Showcase Title citation.
In his later years, Williams enjoyed traveling throughout the United States and Europe with his wife. He made his home in Rhode Island but lived for short periods in England. Williams was a member of numerous organizations, including the Society of Authors of Great Britain, the Author’s Guild, and the Authors League of America. He died in London, England, in 1978, at the age of sixty-four.