May Arbuthnot
| May Hill Arbuthnot | |
|---|---|
| Born |
May Hill August 27, 1884 Mason City, Iowa |
| Died | October 2, 1969 (aged 85) |
| Nationality | American |
| Alma mater | University of Chicago, Columbia university |
| Occupation | Associate professor |
| Known for | Children's literacy advocate |
May Hill Arbuthnot (August 27, 1884 – October 2, 1969) was an educator, editor, writer, and critic who devoted her career to the awareness and importance of children's literature. Her efforts expanded and enriched the selection of books for children, libraries, and children’s librarians alike. She was selected for American Libraries article “100 Most Important Leaders we had for the 20th Century”.
Born in Mason City, Iowa to Frank and Mary (Seville) Hill in 1884, May Hill grew up in many different cities, going to school in Massachusetts, Minnesota, and Illinois. She grew up fond of books, with both a mother and father who were avid readers, and spent time reading the Book of Common Prayer. May Hill graduated from Hyde Park High School in Chicago, Illinois in 1912. Because of financial issues, May Hill did not attend college towards her baccalaureate until nine years later. Instead, she received a k-primary supervisor certificate from the University of Chicago in 1913. Hill eventually went on to receive her baccalaureate from the same university in 1922. May also earned her graduate degree from Columbia University in 1924. May Hill married Charles Crisswell Arbuthnot in 1932. They met later in her career, while he was head of the economics department at Western Reserve University (now Case Western Reserve University).
May Hill Arbuthnot held many jobs while she was continuing her education. She was a kindergarten teacher and director in Wisconsin, lead a teacher training program in New York City, and taught children’s literature at the University of Chicago. In Pioneers and Leaders in Library Services to Youth, Marilyn Miller describes how Arbuthnot contributed to the beginning of nursery training schools in Ohio. In 1922, she became the principle of a kindergarten primary training school in Cleveland, Ohio. In 1927, with her valiant efforts, this training school became the department of elementary education at Western Reserve University. After directing this move, Arbuthnot became an associate professor at the university. This school became a key school in teaching and training professionals and parents alike in the development of children and children's literacy. She continued this career until 1950, which was her year of retirement. Arbuthnot also contributed in other ways to children’s literacy. She was a review editor where she reviewed children’s books for Children’s Education from 1933-1943 and then for Elementary English from 1948-1950.
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