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Eric P. Kelly

エリック・フィルブルック・ケリー

Eric Philbrook Kelly

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1884-03-16 （Amesbury, Massachusetts）
Died
1960-01-03 age 75
Nationality
United States
Languages
English
Residence History
Amesbury (birthplace) → Hanover (Dartmouth College) → Kraków (Jagiellonian University) → Chebeague Island, Maine (retirement) → Ojo Caliente, New Mexico (retirement)

Career

Occupations
journalist, teacher, children's author, college professor
Active Years
1906-1954
Affiliations
Dartmouth College (faculty), Kosciuszko Foundation (exchange scholar / awardee), Sigma Nu (fraternity)
Memberships
Sigma Nu
Influenced By
Polish legends and history, Experiences in post‑World War I Poland

Education

Dartmouth College
English
Degree: B.A.
Period: 1902–1906
Year of Graduation: 1906
Country: United States
Member of the French Club and the Pukwana Club (later part of Sigma Nu)

Awards

Newbery Medal
1929
Work: The Trumpeter of Krakow
Organization: Association for Library Service to Children (American Library Association)
Result: winner
Kosciuszko Foundation Medal of Recognition
1956
Organization: Kosciuszko Foundation
Result: recipient

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

The Trumpeter of Krakow

1928 juvenile historical fiction

A children's novel set against Polish history and legends in Kraków. It introduces the legend of the hejnał trumpeter shot by an arrow and weaves themes of civic tradition and individual bravery.

Polish legendscivic traditionbravery and sacrificecultural exchange

The Blacksmith of Vilno

1930 children's fiction

A children's story incorporating legends from the Vilnius region (then Vilna), inspired by Kelly's research there.

local legendshistory

The Golden Star of Halicz

1931 children's fiction

A children's tale drawing on Eastern European history and folklore.

folkloreadventure

Christmas Nightingale

1932 children's fiction / play (adapted)

A short, folkloric story later adapted as a play in 1935, depicting Christmas scenes with elements of folk tale.

folk talefestivity
Adaptations
  • [play] Christmas Nightingale (play) (1935)

Bibliography

  • The Trumpeter of Krakow (1928)
  • The Blacksmith of Vilno (1930)
  • The Golden Star of Halicz (1931)
  • Christmas Nightingale (1932)
  • The Girl Who Would be Queen (1934)
  • Three Sides of Angiochook (1935)
  • Treasure Mountain (1937)
  • At the Sign of the Golden Compass (1938)
  • On the Staked Plain (1940)
  • From Star to Star (1940)
  • In Clean Hay (1940)
  • Land of the Polish People (1943)
  • The Hand in the Picture (1947)
  • The Amazing Story of David Ingram (1949)
  • Polish Legends and Tales (1971)

Adaptations

  • Christmas Nightingale (adapted as a play, 1935)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
historical, descriptive narrationdidactic and explanatory toneblend of folkloric and legendary elements
Recurring Motifs
the hejnał (church trumpet)Polish legendscivic tradition and heroic deeds

Legacy

Eric P. Kelly is recognized for introducing Polish history and legends to English‑language children's literature. He is best known for winning the 1929 Newbery Medal; The Trumpeter of Krakow helped popularize the hejnał legend in the anglophone world.

Academic Societies

  • Dartmouth alumni associations
  • Kosciuszko Foundation related organizations

Archives

  • Dartmouth Library: Eric P. Kelly Papers, 1928–1964

In Popular Culture

  • The Trumpeter of Krakow helped popularize the hejnał legend in the English‑speaking world

Quotes

  • Warsaw is a beautiful city, reminds me in some ways of Denver.
    Source: Letter to his mother (Kelly's remark) (1919)

Trivia

  • On July 4, 1926, he ceremonially placed soil from Kościuszko's North American battlefields in the Kościuszko Mound in Kraków.
  • After World War I he worked with Haller's Army and was transported to Poland in a closed boxcar.
  • Served as chairman of the Pulitzer Prize selection committee for the novel in 1951–1953.