Hazel Hutchins Wilson (1898–1992)

Hazel Hutchins Wilson was born in Portland, Maine and earned degrees at Bates College and Simmons College. She held many positions in libraries, including as a high school librarian; librarian at Northeast Missouri State Teacher's College (now Northeast Missouri State University); as head of the circulation department of the American Library in Paris, France; librarian at Bradford Academy in Massachusetts; supervisor of school libraries in Denver, Colorado; and lecturer at George Washington University in Washington D.C. She was the author of numerous books for children and young people. Among her works was a popular series of children's books featuring Herbert, a character based on her son. She wrote frequently about geographic features, such as the river Seine in France, and well-known historical figures, such as President George Washington and Washington Irving. She also taught writing classes for children, gave public lectures, and did some radio and television work. She was a member of the American Newspaper Women's Club, the Children's Book Guild of Washington, D.C., and Women in Communication.