Elizabeth Gray Vining
Encyclopedia
Elizabeth Janet Gray Vining (October 6, 1902 – November 27, 1999), born Elizabeth Janet Gray and also known as Elizabeth Gray Vining, was a professional librarian who tutored Emperor Akihito of Japan in English
while he was the crown prince
. She was also a noted author of children's literature
.
, and was a graduate of Germantown Friends School and Bryn Mawr College
, class of 1923. In 1925, she earned a degree in library science from the nearby Drexel Institute
, and in 1926 she became a librarian at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
. In 1929, she married Morgan Fisher Vining, associate director of the Extension Division of the same university. The marriage ended in 1933 with her husband's death in a New York City
automobile accident, in which she was severely injured. During her convalescence, she converted to the Quaker faith.
Vining soon became known as an author, primarily of children's books, and was awarded the 1943 Newbery Medal
for Adam of the Road
. She had authored eleven books by the end of World War II
.
During the Allied occupation of Japan
after the war, Vining was selected by Emperor Hirohito himself (and not the U.S. government, as is erroneously believed by some) to become a private tutor to Crown Prince Akihito, the heir apparent of the Imperial House of Japan
. As part of her teaching program, she arranged for closely supervised occasions when four Western teen-aged boys in Tokyo would get together to help the crown prince practice English conversation.
In addition to teaching English language
skills, she also introduced the children of the Imperial Household, Prince Hitachi
and princesses Kazuko, Atsuko, and Takako, to Western values and culture. She also lectured at Gakushuin University
and at Tsuda College
. For her work, she was awarded the Order of the Sacred Treasure
, third class, shortly before her return to the United States in 1950.
After her return to the United States, Vining wrote a book about her experiences in Japan (Windows for the Crown Prince, 1952) and went on to author over 60 other works of fiction and non-fiction in her lifetime.
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
while he was the crown prince
Crown Prince
A crown prince or crown princess is the heir or heiress apparent to the throne in a royal or imperial monarchy. The wife of a crown prince is also titled crown princess....
. She was also a noted author of children's literature
Children's literature
Children's literature is for readers and listeners up to about age twelve; it is often defined in four different ways: books written by children, books written for children, books chosen by children, or books chosen for children. It is often illustrated. The term is used in senses which sometimes...
.
Biography
Vining was born in Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Philadelphia County, with which it is coterminous. The city is located in the Northeastern United States along the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers. It is the fifth-most-populous city in the United States,...
, and was a graduate of Germantown Friends School and Bryn Mawr College
Bryn Mawr College
Bryn Mawr College is a women's liberal arts college located in Bryn Mawr, a community in Lower Merion Township, Pennsylvania, ten miles west of Philadelphia. The name "Bryn Mawr" means "big hill" in Welsh....
, class of 1923. In 1925, she earned a degree in library science from the nearby Drexel Institute
Drexel University
Drexel University is a private research university with the main campus located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. It was founded in 1891 by Anthony J. Drexel, a noted financier and philanthropist. Drexel offers 70 full-time undergraduate programs and accelerated degrees...
, and in 1926 she became a librarian at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a public research university located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States...
. In 1929, she married Morgan Fisher Vining, associate director of the Extension Division of the same university. The marriage ended in 1933 with her husband's death in a New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
automobile accident, in which she was severely injured. During her convalescence, she converted to the Quaker faith.
Vining soon became known as an author, primarily of children's books, and was awarded the 1943 Newbery Medal
Newbery Medal
The John Newbery Medal is a literary award given by the Association for Library Service to Children, a division of the American Library Association . The award is given to the author of the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children. The award has been given since 1922. ...
for Adam of the Road
Adam of the Road
Adam of the Road is a novel by Elizabeth Janet Gray. Gray won the Newbery Medal for excellence in American children's literature in 1943 from the book. Set in thirteenth-century England, the book follows the adventures of a young boy, Adam. After losing his spaniel and minstrel father, Adam...
. She had authored eleven books by the end of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
During the Allied occupation of Japan
Occupied Japan
At the end of World War II, Japan was occupied by the Allied Powers, led by the United States with contributions also from Australia, India, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. This foreign presence marked the first time in its history that the island nation had been occupied by a foreign power...
after the war, Vining was selected by Emperor Hirohito himself (and not the U.S. government, as is erroneously believed by some) to become a private tutor to Crown Prince Akihito, the heir apparent of the Imperial House of Japan
Imperial House of Japan
The , also referred to as the Imperial Family or the Yamato Dynasty, comprises those members of the extended family of the reigning Emperor of Japan who undertake official and public duties. Under the present Constitution of Japan, the emperor is the symbol of the state and unity of the people...
. As part of her teaching program, she arranged for closely supervised occasions when four Western teen-aged boys in Tokyo would get together to help the crown prince practice English conversation.
In addition to teaching English language
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
skills, she also introduced the children of the Imperial Household, Prince Hitachi
Prince Hitachi
is a member of the Imperial House of Japan and the younger brother of current Emperor Akihito. He is the second son and sixth born child of HIM Emperor Shōwa and Empress Kōjun and is fourth in line to the Chrysanthemum throne...
and princesses Kazuko, Atsuko, and Takako, to Western values and culture. She also lectured at Gakushuin University
Gakushuin
The or Peers School is an educational institution founded in Tokyo in 1877, during the Meiji period, for the education of the children of the Japanese aristocracy, though it eventually also opened its doors to the offspring of extremely wealthy commoners...
and at Tsuda College
Tsuda College
is a private women's college in Kodaira, Tokyo. The college was founded in 1900 by Tsuda Umeko as Joshi Eigaku Juku. The name was later changed to Tsuda Eigaku Juku and then Tsuda Juku Senmon Gakko and finally Tsuda Juku Daigaku in 1948....
. For her work, she was awarded the Order of the Sacred Treasure
Order of the Sacred Treasure
The is a Japanese Order, established on January 4, 1888 by Emperor Meiji of Japan as the Order of Meiji. It is awarded in eight classes . It is generally awarded for long and/or meritorious service and considered to be the lowest of the Japanese orders of merit...
, third class, shortly before her return to the United States in 1950.
After her return to the United States, Vining wrote a book about her experiences in Japan (Windows for the Crown Prince, 1952) and went on to author over 60 other works of fiction and non-fiction in her lifetime.
Partial bibliography
- Meredith's Ann (1927)
- Tangle Garden (1928)
- Meggy MacIntoshMeggy MacIntoshMeggy MacIntosh is a children's historical novel by Elizabeth Janet Gray. Beginning in 1775, it follows the story of a young Scottish orphan who becomes involved with the American revolutionary cause in North Carolina despite her attachment to Flora MacDonald, a loyalist...
(1930) - Jane Hope (1933)
- Young Walter ScottYoung Walter ScottYoung Walter Scott is a fictionalized biography of the early life of Walter Scott by Elizabeth Janet Gray, set in Edinburgh in the late eighteenth century...
(1935) - Beppy Marlowe (1936)
- Penn (1938)
- Contributions of the Quakers (1939)
- The Fair Adventure (1940)
- Adam of the RoadAdam of the RoadAdam of the Road is a novel by Elizabeth Janet Gray. Gray won the Newbery Medal for excellence in American children's literature in 1943 from the book. Set in thirteenth-century England, the book follows the adventures of a young boy, Adam. After losing his spaniel and minstrel father, Adam...
(1942) - Sandy (1945)
- Windows for the Crown Prince (1952)
- The Virginia Exiles (1955)
- Friend of Life - A Biography of Rufus M. Jones (1958)
- The Cheerful Heart (1959)
- Return to Japan (1960)
- I Will Adventure (1962)
- Take Heed of Loving Me (1963)
- Flora: A Biography (1966)
- I, Roberta (1967)
- Quiet Pilgrimage (1970)
- The Taken Girl (1972)
- Being Seventy - The Measure of a Year (1978)
- Harnessing Pegasus: Inspiration and Meditation (1978)
External links
- Japan America Society of Greater Philadelphia: "The Emperor's Tutor."
- Quaker Obituaries
- New York Times obituary