Helen Aberson-Mayer (June 16, 1907 – April 3, 1999)[1][2] was an American children's book author.
Helen Aberson-Mayer | |
|---|---|
| Born | June 16, 1907 |
| Died | April 3, 1999 (aged 91) |
| Occupation | Children's book author |
| Education | Syracuse University |
| Genre | Fantasy |
| Notable works | Dumbo the Flying Elephant |
Aberson-Mayer was best known for co-authoring the story that inspired Walt Disney's 1941 film Dumbo.[3] In collaboration with her then husband, Harold Pearl, Aberson-Mayer wrote Dumbo the Flying Elephant and sold it to Roll-A-Book, the publisher of a kind of novelty toy, although no copies of this original version have been found. The story was later published as a children's book.
Aberson-Mayer may have also authored several other children stories, but they were never published.[4][5]
Early life and education
editAberson-Mayer was born on June 16, 1907, in Syracuse, New York.[1][4][5] Her parents were Anna and Morris Aberson. Her father is listed in city directories as a cigar maker in 1914 and as a grocer in 1930.[4] Her parents were Russian-Jewish immigrants.[6]
Aberson-Mayer graduated from Syracuse University in 1929.[1][2][4][5]
Career
editAfter graduation, she worked in New York City doing social work. She returned to Syracuse in 1933 to direct dramatic actives at a children's camp and took a position as director of dramatical activities at a municipal recreational department. In August 1937, Aberson-Mayer started work as a radio commentator.[4]
According to her family, Aberson-Mayer may have written more children's books into the 1960s, but none of them were published.[5] Her niece recalled two of their titles: Sim, the Seal, and Otto, The Otter.[4]
Personal life
editReferences
edit- 1 2 3 4 "Obituary: Helen Aberson Mayer". The Independent. 1999-04-12. Archived from the original on 2022-05-09. Retrieved 2019-04-07.
- 1 2 3 Pace, Eric (1999-04-10). "Helen A. Mayer, Dumbo's Creator, Dies at 91". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2019-04-07.
- ↑ Crowther, Bosley (1941-10-24). "Walt Disney's Cartoon, 'Dumbo,' a Fanciful Delight, Opens at the Broadway -- 'You'll Never Get Rich,' With Fred Astaire and Rita Hayworth, Is Seen at the Music Hall -- New Film at Palace". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2019-04-07.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Kirst, Sean (2015-10-25). "The tale behind Dumbo, from Dick Case: How the little elephant took off in Syracuse". syracuse.com. Retrieved 2019-04-07.
- 1 2 3 4 5 "MichaelBarrier.com -- Essays: The Mysterious Dumbo Roll-A-Book". www.michaelbarrier.com. Retrieved 2019-04-07.
- ↑ Kindy, David. "The Original 'Dumbo' Story Would Have Had More Twists and Turns". Smithsonian Magazine. Retrieved 20 September 2021.
- ↑ "Syracuse Journal (Feb 16, 1938)". newspaperarchive.com. Retrieved 2019-04-07.