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Happy Birthday, Laura Ingalls Wilder, Author of the “Little House on the Prairie” Series
February 07, 2010
by
Rachel Balik
American pioneer Laura Ingalls Wilder did not begin writing her first book until she was 64. Only with her daughter’s coaxing did she ultimately decide to share her story, and a beloved children’s classic, the “Little House on the Prairie” series, was born.
Laura Ingalls Wilder's Early Days
Laura Elizabeth Ingalls was born on February 7, 1867, in Pepin, Wisconsin, to Charles Ingalls and Caroline Quiner Ingalls. Charles Ingalls had a great wanderlust and as a result, the family moved around a great deal.
Although she began school at age four, Wilder was not always educated in a classroom. Her family often settled in areas where there was no school, and occasionally she was required to work as seamstress to contribute to the family’s income. She earned a teaching certificate and her first job led to a courtship from Almanzo Wilder, who would bring her from the school to her family home each weekend.
The two married and tried their hand at farming, which proved unsuccessful. They had one daughter, Rose, but lost an infant son. In her grief, Wilder accidentally burned down their home. After that, the Wilders moved quite frequently before settling in Missouri, where in 1919, Wilder became secretary-treasurer of the Mansfield Farm Loan Association. The job provided her with good experiences as well as the time to write.
Although she began school at age four, Wilder was not always educated in a classroom. Her family often settled in areas where there was no school, and occasionally she was required to work as seamstress to contribute to the family’s income. She earned a teaching certificate and her first job led to a courtship from Almanzo Wilder, who would bring her from the school to her family home each weekend.
The two married and tried their hand at farming, which proved unsuccessful. They had one daughter, Rose, but lost an infant son. In her grief, Wilder accidentally burned down their home. After that, the Wilders moved quite frequently before settling in Missouri, where in 1919, Wilder became secretary-treasurer of the Mansfield Farm Loan Association. The job provided her with good experiences as well as the time to write.
Notable Accomplishments
Wilder published the first of the “Little House on the Prairie” series, “Little House in the Big Woods,” in 1932. The autobiographical series began with the five-year-old Wilder’s life in Wisconsin, and went on to chronicle the family’s travels out West in a covered wagon and their experiences as homesteaders in the late 19th century.
All the books in the Little House series are listed on the Web site of the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped. The final book officially penned by Wilder is the story of her husband’s childhood in New York State, entitled “Farmer Boy.”
Her books are considered valuable tools in teaching children about American history. While Wilder’s stories depict home life with a loving family, they also recount the hardships of pioneering: the Ingalls family experienced blizzards, plagues of insects, near starvation and death. What is remarkable about Wilder’s series is that she was able to write about these rather difficult subjects in a manner that is suitable for children.
All the books in the Little House series are listed on the Web site of the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped. The final book officially penned by Wilder is the story of her husband’s childhood in New York State, entitled “Farmer Boy.”
Her books are considered valuable tools in teaching children about American history. While Wilder’s stories depict home life with a loving family, they also recount the hardships of pioneering: the Ingalls family experienced blizzards, plagues of insects, near starvation and death. What is remarkable about Wilder’s series is that she was able to write about these rather difficult subjects in a manner that is suitable for children.
The Rest of the Story
The final book in the series, “The First Four Years,” covers the first few years of Laura and Almanzo Wilder’s married life, and their attempt to farm in the Dakota Territory. Never published by Wilder herself, it was found among the possessions of her daughter, Rose Wilder Lane, by Lane’s heir.
Laura Ingalls Wilder died on February 10, 1957. Her daughter, Rose Wilder Lane, followed in her mother’s footsteps and was known as an author in her own right. Lane wrote essays, magazine pieces, short stories and novels. There is also a strong indication that it was actually Lane who urged her mother to begin writing. Descriptions of their collaboration usually place Lane in an editorial role, but some speculate that she may have had more involvement with the writing of Wilder’s novels than is generally acknowledged.
Regardless, much of the fame has gone to her mother, who always maintained that her primary intent was to show children a bit of American history that might otherwise have been forgotten. A few years before her death, Wilder was the first recipient of an award that was named after her, the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) Wilder Medal. The award is given to an author or illustrator who has made “a substantial and lasting contribution to literature for children” over his or her career.
To commemorate that history, the Laura Ingalls Wilder Historic Home and Museum was established. In a letter Wilder wrote to children, available on the Web site, she explains that although many things about the day to life of Americans had changed since she grew up, the important things had remained the same.
From 1974–1983, “Little House on the Prairie” was a television show starring Melissa Gilbert as Laura and Michael Landon as Laura’s father. The show received Emmy and People’s Choice awards, as well as several Golden Globe nominations.
Laura Ingalls Wilder died on February 10, 1957. Her daughter, Rose Wilder Lane, followed in her mother’s footsteps and was known as an author in her own right. Lane wrote essays, magazine pieces, short stories and novels. There is also a strong indication that it was actually Lane who urged her mother to begin writing. Descriptions of their collaboration usually place Lane in an editorial role, but some speculate that she may have had more involvement with the writing of Wilder’s novels than is generally acknowledged.
Regardless, much of the fame has gone to her mother, who always maintained that her primary intent was to show children a bit of American history that might otherwise have been forgotten. A few years before her death, Wilder was the first recipient of an award that was named after her, the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) Wilder Medal. The award is given to an author or illustrator who has made “a substantial and lasting contribution to literature for children” over his or her career.
To commemorate that history, the Laura Ingalls Wilder Historic Home and Museum was established. In a letter Wilder wrote to children, available on the Web site, she explains that although many things about the day to life of Americans had changed since she grew up, the important things had remained the same.
From 1974–1983, “Little House on the Prairie” was a television show starring Melissa Gilbert as Laura and Michael Landon as Laura’s father. The show received Emmy and People’s Choice awards, as well as several Golden Globe nominations.
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