CLRC-129 Genevieve Foster Papers Larry Peterson, August 2004 and Christina Cowan, December 1998 University of Minnesota Libraries8/3/2004
University of Minnesota Libraries Minneapolis, MN 55455
EAD 2002 Validated Finding Aid generated with the aid of a custom FileMaker Pro database developed by the staff of the Children's Literature Research Collections, University of Minnesota Libraries. Many thanks to all the staff and volunteers.8/3/2004Description is in English Summary Information University of Minnesota Libraries Children's Literature Research Collections [clrc] Foster, Genevieve Genevieve Foster Papers 1941-1965 CLRC-129 Genevieve Foster's papers focus on her work as an illustrator of children's books. The collection contains production material for six titles published between 1941 and 1965. It consits entirely of illustrative material and includes illustrations done in a variety of media, especially ink. See Detailed Descriptions for Each Title Item for Box Locations English Important Information for Users of the Collections Access and Use:

Collection is open for researchers with no restrictions. Registration with the collection is required.

Copyright:

This collection is protected by the Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, U.S. Code). It is the user's responsibility to verify copyright ownership and to obtain all necessary permissions prior to the reproduction, publication, or other use of any portion of these materials.

Biographical Sketch

Genevieve (Stump) Foster was born April 13, 1893 in Oswego, New York. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin in 1915 and attended the Chicago Academy of Fine Arts in 1916-1917. She began illustrating children's books in the 1930s and in 1941 authored and illustrated George Washington's World. Throughout her career, Genevieve Foster wrote and illustrated nineteen books for children and became well known for "her technique of choosing historical figures and weaving a story around their perceptions of envents around them." Genevieve Foster wanted to make history and historical figures "alive for children", and critics praised her books for their "understandable illustrations and language." Critics also praised her books for the author's careful research and detail, including her focus on some overlooked historical figures as she described what was happening around the world in art, literature, politics, and warfare. Educators also lauded her books and used them as teaching tools. Genevieve Foster received four Newbery Honor citations for: George Washington's World in 1942; Abraham Lincoln's World in 1945; George Washington in 1950; and Birthdays of Freedom in 1953. Genevieve Foster died August 30, 1979. Biographical Sources: Something About the Author, Vol. 2, p. 111-112. Something About the Author, Vol. 33, p. 73. Children's Literature Review, Vol. 7, p. 85-101.

 Scope and Content

The collection contains production material for six titles published between 1941 and 1965. It consists entirely of illustrative material and includes ink illustrations, a sheet of ink illustrations, tempera illustrations, an ink and watercolor illustration, and an ink and tempera illustration. The materials are arranged by title with box level control.

Indexing Terms

The collection is indexed under the following headings in the catalog of the University of Minnesota Libraries. Researchers desiring materials about related topics, persons or places should search the catalog using these headings.

Foster, Genevieve Accession Information:

Part of this collection was originally given to Dr. Irvin Kerlan who in turn donated his collection to the University of Minnesota. Genevieve Foster gave additional material to the University in 1969 as a gift.

Gift of: Foster, Genevieve

Arrangement

Abraham Lincoln's World, 1944

Augustus Caesar's World: A Story of Ideas and Events from B. C. 44 to 14 A. D., 1947

Birthdays of Freedom, Volumes 1-2, 1952-1957

George Washington, 1949

George Washington's World, 1941

The World of Christopher Columbus and Sons, 1965

Collection Contents Abraham Lincoln's World 1944

New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1944

 M. C. 461 Ink illustrations 5 p. M. C. 461 Ink illustrations (2) 1 sheet Augustus Caesar's World: A Story of Ideas and Events from B. C. 44 to 14 A. D. 1947

New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1947

 M. C. 461 Ink illustrations 2 p. Birthdays of Freedom, Volumes 1-2 1952-1957

New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1952-1957

 M. C. 461 Tempera illustrations 2 p. George Washington 1949

New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1949

 M. C. 461 Ink and tempera illustration 1 p. M. C. 461 Ink and watercolor illustration 1 p. George Washington's World 1941

New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1941

 M. C. 461 Ink illustrations 4 p. The World of Christopher Columbus and Sons 1965

New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1965

 M. C. 461 Ink illustrations 4 p.