Francelia Esther McWilliams Butler (April 25, 1913–September 17, 1998) was an American scholar, pioneer and writer of Children's Literature.[1] She is also known for creating the International Peace Games.
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Born in Cleveland, Ohio, she received a BA from Oberlin College, an MA from Georgetown University, and a Ph.D. from the University of Virginia.
Francelia married Jerome Butler who worked as a journalist for the Paris Herald Tribune (which became the International Herald Tribune). Her husband died in 1949.
First a journalist then a professor, Francelia Butler taught at the University of Connecticut.
Francelia Butler created the International Peace Games.
Francelia Butler founded the scholarly journal Children's Literature.
The Graduate Program of Children's Literature at Hollins University founded an annual conference in memory of Francelia. Not only did she found the literary journal Children's Literature which is currently edited at Hollins University by Julie Pfeiffer with R. H. W. Dillard, she also donated her own extensive collection of children's literature when much of the university's own collection was ruined in a flood.