Ethel Parton’s Followers (2)

Ethel Parton

Born

The United States

Genre

Children's Books

edit data

Ethel Parton, born in 1862, was going to find it hard to escape the happy destiny that awaited her. She had “landed” in a family with an array of forebears who exulted in ideas, reading, writing, and publishing. Ethel’s great-great grandfather had founded The Youth’s Companion; her grandmother was an early best-selling author and woman’s columnist; and her uncle, a well-known biographer, lecturer and essayist. Breathing in that atmosphere, Ethel made it her own and would shape her own perceptions and loves from the rich material. Ethel’s own contribution would be with children’s literature. And for this outcome, place—her own New England seaport town and the people who dwelt in it—would supply a wealth of ingredients to the books she becam Ethel Parton, born in 1862, was going to find it hard to escape the happy destiny that awaited her. She had “landed” in a family with an array of forebears who exulted in ideas, reading, writing, and publishing. Ethel’s great-great grandfather had founded The Youth’s Companion; her grandmother was an early best-selling author and woman’s columnist; and her uncle, a well-known biographer, lecturer and essayist. Breathing in that atmosphere, Ethel made it her own and would shape her own perceptions and loves from the rich material. Ethel’s own contribution would be with children’s literature. And for this outcome, place—her own New England seaport town and the people who dwelt in it—would supply a wealth of ingredients to the books she became best known for.

It was in Newburyport, Massachusetts that Ethel, orphaned very early in life, was brought up; first, by the writer-grandmother, (known by her pen name, “Fanny Fern”); later, by her aunt Ellen and her uncle, James Parton. “Never for a moment was I allowed to feel myself an orphan....I had a most happy childhood,” she affirmed.[1] Home-taught until age 11 by the gifted James Parton, Ethel relished the moment she was given free use of his library. She next attended “the remarkable school of Jane Andrews, writer of books for children.” When Ethel graduated from high school (Putnam Free School) in 1880, there was opportunity for college. But young Miss Parton declined it in favor of the educationally rich environment offered by working at home with her Uncle James. She acted as his secretary, literary assistant and sometimes as writing collaborator.

Already in high school, Ethel was composing articles for the Youth’s Companion. As an adult, and a member of its editorial staff for the next forty and more years, she contributed verses and stories both to it and to St Nicholas. Only in later life, after she left Youth’s Companion, did Ethel find time to write in the longer format of books. “I found it was for children I most wished to write.” Thus, Ethel Parton’s first book did not appear until she was nearly 70, and through the next decade, eight more titles came out. ...more

Combine Editions
Ethel Parton’s books

Average rating: 3.91 · 33 ratings · 9 reviews · 11 distinct works • Similar authors

	Melissa Ann: A Little Girl of the Eighteen Twenties by Ethel Parton, M.A. Lawson (Illustrator) 4.13 avg rating — 15 ratings — published 1931 — 9 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Penelope Ellen and Her Friends: Three Little Girls of 1840 by Ethel Parton, Margaret Platt (Illustrator) 3.83 avg rating — 6 ratings — published 1936 — 6 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	The Year Without a Summer: A Story of 1816 by Ethel Parton, Margaret Platt (Illustrator) 3.60 avg rating — 5 ratings — 5 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Each and All: The Seven Little Sisters Prove Their Sisterhood by Jane Andrews, Ethel Parton (Commentary) 3.75 avg rating — 4 ratings — published 1877 — 101 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	The House Between: A Story of the 1850s by Ethel Parton, Margaret Platt (Illustrator) really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 3 ratings — published 1943 — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Vinny Applegay, Her First Year in New York: A Story of the 1870s by Ethel Parton, Margaret Platt (Illustrator) really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 2 ratings — published 1937 — 7 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Tabitha Mary: a Little Girl of 1810 really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 1 rating — 6 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Mule of the Parthenon it was ok 2.00 avg rating — 1 rating — published 1932 — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Runaway Prentice: the Story of Jeffrey, Susan, Tris, and Tibby in the Year 1800 0.00 avg rating — 0 ratings — 5 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	The Lost Locket: the Newburyport of 1830 0.00 avg rating — 0 ratings	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

More books by Ethel Parton…

Is this you? Let us know. If not, help out and invite Ethel to Goodreads.

Ethel Parton’s Followers (2)

Ethel Parton

Combine EditionsEthel Parton’s books

Combine Editions
Ethel Parton’s books