Elizabeth Rider Montgomery papers, 1953-1969

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Montgomery, Elizabeth Rider
Title
Elizabeth Rider Montgomery papers
Dates
1953-1969 (inclusive)
Quantity
1.5 linear feet
Collection Number
1335 (Accession No. 1335-001)
Summary
Manuscripts of juvenile fiction and non-fiction books by Seattle author Elizabeth Rider Montgomery
Repository
University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections
Special Collections
University of Washington Libraries
Box 352900
Seattle, WA
98195-2900
Telephone: 2065431929
Fax: 2065431931
speccoll@uw.edu
Access Restrictions

Open to all users.

Records stored offsite; advance notice required for use.

Languages
English

Biographical NoteReturn to Top

A teacher and prolific writer specializing in works for children and young adults, Elizabeth Rider was born to Charles Quantrell and Lula (Tralle) Rider on July 12, 1902, in Huaras, Peru, where her father was serving as a missionary and teacher. The family returned to the United States when Elizabeth was 18 months old and she spent her childhood in Independence, Missouri, and Seattle, Washington. Although intending to be an artist, she trained as a teacher, receiving a two-year certificate from the Washington State Normal School at Bellingham (now Western Washington University) in 1925 and a degree in Education from the University of California, Los Angeles, in 1928.

While employed as an elementary school teacher, Mrs. Montgomery began writing, with the intention of improving the reading primers then available for her young pupils. She "was horrified at available reading books" for students. She wrote the first book of the "We Look and See" series long before it was accepted in 1940. In 1938, she left the teaching profession and, until 1963, was employed as a staff-writer for the text-book publisher Scott, Foresman & Company. While there, she was closely involved in the creation and development of the pre-primers and health texts featuring the ongoing characters named "Dick" and "Jane." Subsequently, she was a free-lance writer, authoring novels, biographies, stories, plays, and poems for children and young adults, as well as magazine articles, novels, and plays for adults.

Spanning more than 40 years and resulting in over 70 works, Elizabeth Rider Montgomery's distinguished career was recognized by many honors, including awards from the National Federation of Press Women, National League of American Pen Women, Phi Delta Nu Honorary Fraternity of Authors and Creative Artists, Pacific Northwest Writers Conference, Washington Press Women, and the Seattle Historical Society. She was also a past president of the Seattle Free Lancers. Her body of work includes biographies on Chief Seattle, Henry Ford and Dag Hamarskjold, as well as several Northwest adventure novels. Married to Norman A. Montgomery from 1930 to 1961, and to Arthur Julesberg from 1963, Elizabeth Rider Montgomery died on February 19, 1985, in Seattle, Washington.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

Manuscripts of juvenile fiction and non-fiction books by a Seattle author.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Restrictions on Use

Creator's literary rights not transferred to the University of Washington Libraries.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Acquisition Information

Donated by Elizabeth Montgomery, 2/1/1970.

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

 

Container(s) Description Dates
1 Manuscripts and Galleys: Three Miles an Hour
4 folders
undated
1 Manuscript: On the Oregon Trail
3 folders
undated
2 Manuscript: Chief Joseph undated
2 Manuscript: When a Ton of Gold Came to Seattle undated
2 Manuscript: Lewis and Clark undated
2 Manuscript: Henry Ford undated
2 Manuscript: Mahatma Gandhi
3 folders
undated
3 Manuscripts and Galleys: Tide Treasure Camper
2 folders
undated
3 Manuscript: Will Rogers
2 folders
undated
3 Manuscript: Chief Seattle undated

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Child authors--Washington (State)--Seattle
  • Children's literature

Personal Names

  • Montgomery, Elizabeth Rider--Archives

Titles within the Collection

  • Chief Joseph : guardian of his people--Sources
  • Chief Seattle, great statesman--Sources
  • Ghandi : peaceful fighter--Sources
  • Henry Ford : automotive pioneer--Sources
  • Lewis and Clark--Sources
  • Three miles an hour--Sources
  • Tide Treasure camper--Sources
  • When a ton of gold reached Seattle--Sources
  • Will Rogers, cowboy philosopher--Sources

Other Creators

  • Personal Names
    • Montgomery, Elizabeth Rider--Juvenile fiction (creator)
    • Montgomery, Elizabeth Rider--Manuscripts (creator)

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Personal Papers/Corporate Records (University of Washington)