Jean Lee Latham
Jean Lee Latham was an influential American playwright and children's author born in West Virginia in the early 1900s. She graduated from West Virginia Wesleyan College in 1925 and furthered her education at the Ithaca Conservatory and Cornell University, where she earned her master's degree in 1930. Latham had a diverse career, serving as the head of the English department at Upshur County High School and later becoming the editor in chief for the Dramatic Publishing Company. She published her first play, *Thanks, Awfully!*, in 1929 and went on to write over forty plays, primarily focusing on children's literature. Notable works include *555 Pointers for Beginning Actors and Directors* and titles such as *The Dog That Lost His Family* and *Carry On, Mr. Bowditch*. Latham's contributions to children's literature were recognized with several prestigious awards, including the John Newbery Medal. Her legacy remains significant in the realm of children's fiction and nonfiction, showcasing her dedication to engaging young audiences through storytelling.
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Jean Lee Latham
Nonfiction & Children's Literature Writer and Playwright
- Born: April 19, 1902
- Birthplace: Buckhannon, West Virginia
- Died: June 13, 1995
Biography
Playwright Jean Lee Latham was born in the early 1900’s in West Virginia. She attended West Virginia Wesleyan College, graduating in 1925, followed by the Ithaca Conservatory and then Cornell University, where she received her master’s degree in 1930. She also briefly attended the West Virginia Institute of Technology.
While she was studying at Cornell, Latham taught drama. For two years, from 1926 to 1928, she was the head of the English department at Upshur County High School. From 1930 to 1936, Latham served as the editor in chief for the Dramatic Publishing Company. Latham then set out on her own as a freelance writer and later became a professional speaker.
Latham published her first play, Thanks, Awfully! in 1929. Although she wrote more than forty plays for both adults and children, Latham is best remembered as a prolific author of children’s fiction and nonfiction. Her first book for children was 555 Pointers for Beginning Actors and Directors in 1955. This was followed by such works as The Story of Eli Whitney, Samuel F. B. Morse, Artist- Inventor, Trail Blazer of the Seas, and Sam Houston, Hero of Texas. Other notable titles include The Dog That Lost His Family, What Tabbit the Rabbit Found, and Carry On, Mr. Bowditch.
Latham received many awards for her writing, including the John Newbery Medal for most distinguished contribution to children’s literature, an award from the American Library Association, and the Boys’ Club of America Junior Book Award.