Margaret Alison Johansen

Margaret Lee Alison Johansen (née Alison, September 7, 1896 – December 28, 1959) was an American writer from Alabama.[1] She received the Newbery Honor.

Margaret Alison Johansen
BornMargaret Lee Alison
(1896-09-07)September 7, 1896
Richmond, Alabama
DiedDecember 28, 1959(1959-12-28) (aged 63)
Selma, Alabama
Pen nameHugh McAlister
OccupationWriter
NationalityAmerican
Period1924–1959
GenreChildren's literature
Notable works
Notable awardsNewbery Medal

Early and personal life

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Johansen was born Margaret Lee Alison on September 7, 1896, in Richmond, Alabama, to Annie Goode Hearst and John Dill Alison. She studied at Converse College from 1912 to 1914, the University of Alabama in 1918, and Columbia University in 1922. She was a member of the Delta Delta Delta and Theta Sigma Phi sororities. She married Carl Christian Johansen, adding his surname to hers.

Writing career

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Johansen wrote many books, mostly or all for children, between 1924 and 1950. She often collaborated with her sister Alice Alison Lide to write books, and also wrote under the pseudonym "Hugh McAlister," likely also with Lide, to write books aimed at boys. Her first known published work was History of St. Paul's Parish, written with Lide and published in 1924. She continued to publish books throughout her life, the most notable probably being Ood-Le-Uk the Wanderer, a 1930 book which won a 1931 Newbery Honor.[2]

Death

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Johansen died on December 28, 1959, in Selma, Alabama, and was buried in the churchyard of Selma's St. Paul's Episcopal Church.[3]

Bibliography

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Published as Margaret Alison Johansen

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Solo work

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  • Hawk of Hawk Clan: 1941
  • Voyagers West: 1959
  • From Sea to Shining Sea: How Americans Have Lived: 1960
  • History of St. Paul's Parish: 1924
  • Ood-Le-Uk the Wanderer: 1930
  • Pearls of Fortune: 1931
  • Dark Possession: 1934
  • Secret of the Circle: 1937
  • Thord Firetooth: 1937
  • Mystery of the Mahteb: A Tale of Thirteenth-Century Ethiopia: 1942
  • The Wooden Locket: 1953
  • Lapland Drum: 1955
  • Magic Words for Elin: 1955
  • Elin of Finland: 1960

Published as Hugh McAlister

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  • Conqueror of the High Road: 1930
  • Flaming River: 1930
  • Flight of the Silver Ship: 1930
  • Stand By: 1930
  • Steve Holworth of the Oldham Works: 1930
  • Viking of the Sky: 1930
  • Sea Gold: 1931
  • That Boy at Roaring Brook Farm: 1931

References

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  1. ^ "JOHANSEN, MARGARET ALISON, 1896-1959". Alabama Library Association. Retrieved September 12, 2017.
  2. ^ "Newbery Medal and Honor Books, 1922-Present". American Library Association. Retrieved February 20, 2018.
  3. ^ "Margaret Lee Alison Johansen". Find a Grave. May 28, 2011. Retrieved February 20, 2018.
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