Francelia Butler

Francelia McWilliams Butler (April 25, 1913 – September 17, 1998) was an American scholar, pioneer and writer of Children's Literature. She is also known for creating the International Peace Games.

Born in Cleveland, Ohio, she received a BA from Oberlin College, an MA from Georgetown University, and a Ph.D. from the University of Virginia.

Francelia married Jerome Butler who worked as a journalist for the Paris Herald Tribune (which became the International Herald Tribune). Her husband died in 1949.

First a journalist then a professor, Francelia Butler taught at the University of Connecticut. Mrs. Butler taught one of the most popular classes on campus from the 1960s to the early 1990s. Officially "Children's Literature 200," students affectionately nicknamed the class "Kiddie Lit," and its class schedule included guest lecturers from Dr. Benjamin Spock to Madeline L'Engle. Mrs. Butler retired from UCONN in 1992.

Francelia Butler created the International Peace Games, now PeaceFirst.

Francelia Butler founded the scholarly journal Children's Literature.

The Graduate Program of Children's Literature at Hollins University founded an annual conference in memory of Francelia. Not only did she found the literary journal Children's Literature which is currently edited at Hollins University by Julie Pfeiffer with R. H. W. Dillard, she also donated her own extensive collection of children's literature when much of the university's own collection was ruined in a flood.

The Melted Refrigerator; Comedy and Combat in the Life of a Woman (2013)

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