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Marguerite Henry

マルグリット・ヘンリー

Marguerite Henry

Pen Names: Marguerite Henry（Publishing name (born Breithaupt)）

Profile

Gender
Female
Born
1902-04-13 （Milwaukee, Wisconsin, US）
Died
1997-11-26 （Rancho Santa Fe, California, US） age 95
Nationality
American
Languages
English
Residence History
Milwaukee (birth) → Chicago area (moved; began writing career) → Wayne, Illinois (longtime residence) → Rancho Santa Fe, California (later life)

Career

Occupations
Writer, Children's author
Active Years
1940-1997
Influenced By
Wesley Dennis (illustrator/collaborator), Will James (influence on horse illustration)
Influenced
Chincoteague regional tourism, Subsequent children's and animal-story authors

Education

Milwaukee State Teachers College
Country: United States
Detailed enrollment information limited

Awards

Newbery Medal
1949
Work: King of the Wind
Organization: American Library Association (Association for Library Service to Children)
Result: Winner
Newbery Honor (runner-up)
1946
Work: Justin Morgan Had a Horse
Organization: American Library Association
Result: Honor
Newbery Honor (runner-up)
1948
Work: Misty of Chincoteague
Organization: American Library Association
Result: Honor
William Allen White Children's Book Award
1956
Work: Brighty of the Grand Canyon
Organization: Emporia State University (award administration)
Result: Winner
Sequoyah Book Award
1960
Work: Black Gold
Organization: Oklahoma Library Association
Result: Winner
Clara Ingram Judson Award
1961
Work: Gaudenzia: Pride of the Palio
Organization: (children's literature award organization)
Result: Winner
Lewis Carroll Shelf Award (selection)
1961
Work: Misty of Chincoteague
Organization: (selection committee)
Result: Selected
Western Heritage Award
1967
Work: Mustang, Wild Spirit of the West
Category: Outstanding Juvenile Book
Organization: National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum
Result: Winner
Sequoyah Book Award
1970
Work: Mustang, Wild Spirit of the West
Organization: Oklahoma Library Association
Result: Winner

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Misty of Chincoteague

1947 Children's book, animal story

A children's novel centered on the Pony Penning of Chincoteague and the foal Misty born there; based on true events and focusing on the bond between children and ponies.

Bond between humans and animalsLocal cultureComing-of-age
Adaptations
  • [Film] Misty (1961 film) / James B. Clark (1961)

King of the Wind: the Story of the Godolphin Arabian

1948 Children's book, historical novel

The life story of the Godolphin Arabian and the people connected to him; historical in scope and recipient of the 1949 Newbery Medal.

HistoryHuman-horse bondsAdventure
Adaptations
  • [Film] King of the Wind (1990 film) (1990)

Brighty of the Grand Canyon

1953 Children's book, animal story (based on true events)

A tale about Brighty, an animal associated with the Grand Canyon, focusing on adventure and friendship; adapted for film.

Nature and conservationFriendshipAdventure
Adaptations
  • [Film] Brighty of the Grand Canyon (1967 film) (1967)

Justin Morgan Had a Horse

1945 Children's book, historical novel

A historical story inspired by early American horses and their owners; one of her notable collaborations with illustrator Wesley Dennis.

HistoryAnimalsResponsibility
Adaptations
  • [Film] Justin Morgan Had a Horse (1972 film) (1972)

Brown Sunshine of Sawdust Valley

1996 Children's book, animal story 93 pages

A short novel published when Henry was 94; a lighthearted mule story reflecting late-period Henry.

Late-period author perspectiveHuman-animal relationships

Bibliography

  • Auno and Tauno: a Story of Finland (1940)
  • Dilly Dally Sally (1940)
  • Justin Morgan Had a Horse (1945)
  • Misty of Chincoteague (1947)
  • King of the Wind (1948)
  • Brighty of the Grand Canyon (1953)
  • Black Gold (1957)
  • Mustang, Wild Spirit of the West (1966)
  • Brown Sunshine of Sawdust Valley (1996)

Adaptations

  • Misty (1961 film)
  • Brighty of the Grand Canyon (1967 film)
  • Justin Morgan Had a Horse (1972 film)
  • Peter Lundy and the Medicine Hat Stallion (TV adaptation, 1977)
  • King of the Wind (1990 film)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
Clear, unadorned narrative voiceDetailed, empathetic portrayals of animals and their behavior
Recurring Motifs
HorsesAdventureHistorical settingsLocal communities and traditions

Health

  • Rheumatic fever
    幼年期（6歳頃）
    Struck by rheumatic fever at about age six and bedridden until around age twelve; unable to attend school normally and began extensive reading and early writing.
  • Multiple strokes
    晩年
    Suffered multiple strokes in later life, contributing to declining health and ultimately to her death at home.

Legacy

Marguerite Henry is widely known for children's books about horses and animals; Misty of Chincoteague in particular boosted local tourism. Many works were adapted for film and television, and her papers are archived at the University of Minnesota.

Museums

  • Museum of Chincoteague (related collections) Chincoteague Island, Virginia, US
  • Elmer L. Andersen Library — Marguerite Henry Collection University of Minnesota (Minneapolis), US

Academic Societies

  • Society of Midland Authors (mentioned)

Archives

  • Marguerite Henry Collection, Elmer L. Andersen Library, University of Minnesota (manuscripts, papers, awards)

In Popular Culture

  • Increased tourism and recognition for the Pony Penning event and Chincoteague
  • Entrenchment of horse-themed works in children's literature

Quotes

  • At last I had a world of my very own – a writing world, and soon it would be populated by all the creatures of my imagination.
    Source: Marguerite Henry, Dear Readers and Riders (1969)

Trivia

  • Sold her first story at age 11 for $12 (then a modest sum).
  • Married Sidney Crocker Henry in 1923; they remained married for 64 years and had no children.
  • Collaborated with illustrator Wesley Dennis for about 20 years starting in 1945.
  • Misty of Chincoteague (1947) was an instant success and was adapted into a film in 1961.
  • Her last novel, Brown Sunshine of Sawdust Valley, was published in 1996 when she was 94.
  • Her papers and related materials are held at the University of Minnesota.