Janet Lambert
Encyclopedia
Janet Lambert was an actress and author of 54 books of young adult fiction for girls from 1941 to 1969. Lambert's works, best known as the Penny and Tippy Parrish series, focused on the lives and the coming of age choices of the wives and children, especially daughters, of U.S. Army officers during World War II
and the Korean War
-era.
, the daughter of Francis Leonidas Snyder and Mabel Galey.
She married Kent Craig Lambert (1891–1982) on January 1, 1918. Kent, a brother of longtime Purdue basketball coach, Ward Lambert
, was a 1913 graduate of Wabash College
in Crawfordsville, Indiana, He served in World War I
and continued his Army career as a cavalry officer. In World War II, he saw service in North Africa
, Anzio
and China
. He retired as a full colonel in 1951 after 34 years active duty as post commander of Fort Jay
, Governors Island
, in New York City
. A photograph of his departure from Fort Jay and the Army illustrated the dust jacket of one of her books.
While not well documented, Lambert did perform on the Broadway stage in the years before and during World War I.
The couple had one daughter, Jeanne Anne Lambert (born 1918) who, not unlike a character in her mother's books, did marry a United States Military Academy graduate, Second Lieutenant Dean Titus Vanderhoef (USMA 1940), at Fort Jay
's post chapel on July 27, 1940.
at Fort Riley
, Kansas. In 1930, he was instructor at the Virginia Military Institute
.
As for her female characters, often military wives or children, she drew on her experiences and observations as a military wife herself and one who did have to balance and choose career aspirations and married life.
Janet Lambert died on March 16, 1973 at Beach Haven, New Jersey
and is buried with her husband in Crawfordsville, Indiana.
PENNY PARRISH STORIES
TIPPY PARRISH STORIES
JORDON STORIES
PARRI MACDONALD STORIES
CANDY KANE STORIES
DRIA MEREDITH STORIES
CAMPBELL STORIES
SUGAR BRADLEY STORIES
CHRISTIE DRAYTON STORIES
PATTY AND GINGER STORIES
CINDA HOLLISTER STORIES
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...
and the Korean War
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
-era.
Family life
Lambert was born Maude Janet "Dodi" Snyder December 12 or 17, 1893 in or near Crawfordsville, IndianaCrawfordsville, Indiana
Crawfordsville is a city in Union Township, Montgomery County, Indiana, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 15,915. The city is the county seat of Montgomery County...
, the daughter of Francis Leonidas Snyder and Mabel Galey.
She married Kent Craig Lambert (1891–1982) on January 1, 1918. Kent, a brother of longtime Purdue basketball coach, Ward Lambert
Ward Lambert
Ward Louis "Piggy" Lambert was an American college men's basketball coach. He was born in Deadwood, South Dakota. In 1890, Lambert and his family moved to Crawfordsville, Indiana. He played basketball at Crawfordsville High School and Wabash College, both under coach Ralph Jones, who himself...
, was a 1913 graduate of Wabash College
Wabash College
Wabash College is a small, private, liberal arts college for men, located in Crawfordsville, Indiana. Along with Hampden-Sydney College and Morehouse College, Wabash is one of only three remaining traditional all-men's liberal arts colleges in the United States.-History:Wabash College was founded...
in Crawfordsville, Indiana, He served in World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
and continued his Army career as a cavalry officer. In World War II, he saw service in North Africa
North Africa
North Africa or Northern Africa is the northernmost region of the African continent, linked by the Sahara to Sub-Saharan Africa. Geopolitically, the United Nations definition of Northern Africa includes eight countries or territories; Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, South Sudan, Sudan, Tunisia, and...
, Anzio
Anzio
Anzio is a city and comune on the coast of the Lazio region of Italy, about south of Rome.Well known for its seaside harbour setting, it is a fishing port and a departure point for ferries and hydroplanes to the Pontine Islands of Ponza, Palmarola and Ventotene...
and China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
. He retired as a full colonel in 1951 after 34 years active duty as post commander of Fort Jay
Fort Jay
Fort Jay is a harbor fortification and the name of the former Army post located on Governors Island in New York Harbor. Fort Jay is the oldest defensive structure on the island, built to defend Upper New York Bay, but has served other purposes...
, Governors Island
Governors Island
Governors Island is a island in Upper New York Bay, approximately one-half mile from the southern tip of Manhattan Island and separated from Brooklyn by Buttermilk Channel. It is legally part of the borough of Manhattan in New York City...
, in 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...
. A photograph of his departure from Fort Jay and the Army illustrated the dust jacket of one of her books.
While not well documented, Lambert did perform on the Broadway stage in the years before and during World War I.
The couple had one daughter, Jeanne Anne Lambert (born 1918) who, not unlike a character in her mother's books, did marry a United States Military Academy graduate, Second Lieutenant Dean Titus Vanderhoef (USMA 1940), at Fort Jay
Fort Jay
Fort Jay is a harbor fortification and the name of the former Army post located on Governors Island in New York Harbor. Fort Jay is the oldest defensive structure on the island, built to defend Upper New York Bay, but has served other purposes...
's post chapel on July 27, 1940.
Literary Legacy
Lambert's life experience as an Army wife provided the background and settings for many of her books about the lives of teenage children of military officers. While the U.S. Military Academy figures appear frequently in the lives of her characters, her husband did not attend West Point, gaining his officer training through the National Guard and mid-level Army schools such at the United States Army Cavalry SchoolUnited States Army Cavalry School
The United States Army Cavalry School was part of a series of training programs and centers for its horse mounted troops or cavalry branch.-History:...
at Fort Riley
Fort Riley
Fort Riley is a United States Army installation located in Northeast Kansas, on the Kansas River, between Junction City and Manhattan. The Fort Riley Military Reservation covers 100,656 acres in Geary and Riley counties and includes two census-designated places: Fort Riley North and Fort...
, Kansas. In 1930, he was instructor at the Virginia Military Institute
Virginia Military Institute
The Virginia Military Institute , located in Lexington, Virginia, is the oldest state-supported military college and one of six senior military colleges in the United States. Unlike any other military college in the United States—and in keeping with its founding principles—all VMI students are...
.
As for her female characters, often military wives or children, she drew on her experiences and observations as a military wife herself and one who did have to balance and choose career aspirations and married life.
Janet Lambert died on March 16, 1973 at Beach Haven, New Jersey
Beach Haven, New Jersey
Beach Haven is a Borough in Ocean County, New Jersey in the United States. The borough is located on Long Beach Island and borders the Atlantic Ocean...
and is buried with her husband in Crawfordsville, Indiana.
Works by Janet Lambert
Listed by series and years of original publication:PENNY PARRISH STORIES
- Star Spangled Summer 1941
- Dreams of Glory 1942
- Glory Be! 1943
- Up Goes the Curtain 1946
- Practically Perfect 1947
- The Reluctant Heart 1950
TIPPY PARRISH STORIES
- Miss Tippy 1948
- Little Miss Atlas 1949
- Miss America 1951
- Don't Cry Little Girl 1952
- Rainbow After Rain 1953
- Welcome Home, Mrs. Jordon 1953
- Song in Their Hearts 1956
- Here's Marny 1969
JORDON STORIES
- Just Jennifer 1945
- Friday's Child 1947
- Confusion by Cupid 1950
- A Dream for Susan 1954
- Love Taps Gently 1955
- Myself & I 1957
- The Stars Hang High 1960
- Wedding Bells 1961
- A Bright Tomorrow 1965
PARRI MACDONALD STORIES
- Introducing Parri 1962
- That's My Girl 1964
- Stagestruck Parri 1966
- My Davy 1968
CANDY KANE STORIES
- Candy Kane 1943
- Whoa, Matilda 1944
- One for the Money 1946
DRIA MEREDITH STORIES
- Star Dream 1951
- Summer for Seven 1952
- High Hurdles 1955
CAMPBELL STORIES
- The Precious Days 1957
- For Each Other 1959
- Forever and Ever 1961
- Five's a Crowd 1963
- First of All 1966
- The Odd Ones 1969
SUGAR BRADLEY STORIES
- Sweet as Sugar 1967
- Hi, Neighbor 1968
CHRISTIE DRAYTON STORIES
- Where the Heart Is 1948
- Treasure Trouble 1949
PATTY AND GINGER STORIES
- We're Going Steady 1958
- Boy Wanted 1959
- Spring Fever 1960
- Summer Madness 1962
- Extra Special 1963
- On Her Own 1964
CINDA HOLLISTER STORIES
- Cinda 1954
- Fly Away Cinda 1956
- Big Deal 1958
- Triple Trouble 1965
- Love to Spare 1967