The Story of Mankind, a historical narrative designed for children, earned Hendrik Willem van Loon the inaugural Newbery Medal in 1922. A multifaceted figure, he navigated the roles of historian, journalist, and illustrator, creating a substantial body of work that bridged the gap between complex academic subjects and popular young adult literature during the early twentieth century.
Early Life and Education
Born in 1882 in Rotterdam, Netherlands, he eventually moved to the United States to pursue his education. He attended Harvard University and Cornell University, securing his AB in 1905. His academic path continued in Germany at the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, where he earned a Ph.D. in 1911. This research provided the foundation for his debut publication, The Fall of the Dutch Republic, released in 1913.
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His professional career included reporting for the Associated Press during the Russian Revolution of 1905 and covering events in Belgium at the onset of World War I in 1914. He became a naturalized United States citizen in 1919. Beyond his reporting, he held academic positions, lecturing at Cornell University between 1915 and 1916 and serving as a history professor at Antioch College in 1923 and 1924.
Authorial and Illustrative Style
He produced an extensive list of works, frequently providing his own black-and-white drawings and chronological diagrams. His style was characterized by a focus on individual characters and the broader role of the arts within history. Notable titles included The Story of the Bible, Tolerance, and Man the Miracle Maker. In the 1930s, he collaborated frequently with Grace Castagnetta on various music-related books.
Political Engagement and Later Years
After being barred from Germany following the rise of the Nazis, he authored Our Battle in 1938 to counter Nazi ideology. This effort gained the attention of Franklin D. Roosevelt, leading him to participate in the 1940 presidential campaign. He received a knighthood from Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands in 1942. He died in 1944 in Old Greenwich and is buried at the First Congregational Church Cemetery.
Fast facts
- Born: 1882, Rotterdam
- Died: 1944, Old Greenwich
- Education: Cornell University
- Citizenship: United States; Kingdom of the Netherlands
- Notable Award: Newbery Medal (1922)
- Notable Work: The Story of Mankind
- Membership: American Academy of Arts and Letters
- Knighted: 1942, Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands
Questions readers ask
What was the subject of his most famous book?
The Story of Mankind is a historical overview of the world written specifically for young readers.
Did he write for any specific political causes?
Yes, he authored Our Battle in 1938 to oppose Adolf Hitler and supported Franklin D. Roosevelt's 1940 campaign against totalitarianism.
Achievements
- Newbery Medal — 1922
- Notable work: The Story of Mankind
