Leo Gurko (January 4, 1914 – 2008) was a Polish-American author who primarily wrote biographies between the 1940s and 1970s. Of his works, Gurko received a Newbery Honor for Tom Paine, Freedom's Apostle in 1958. Gurko later published two books on Joseph Conrad and one each on Ernest Hemingway and Thomas Wolfe. Outside of literature, Gurko was a first reader for Macmillan Inc. between 1936 and 1962. During this time period, Gurko started teaching English at Hunter College in 1938 and was the college's English head from 1954 to 1960.

Early life and education

On January 4, 1914, Gurko was born in Warsaw, Poland.[1] During his childhood, Gurko attended schools in New York state, Detroit and Hamtramck, Michigan.[2] While completing his education, Gurko wanted to play baseball for the Detroit Tigers. He later wanted to work in diplomacy, spying and overseas correspondence after reading works by E. Phillips Oppenheim.[3] After completing high school at the age of thirteen, Gurko received a Bachelor of Arts from the College of the City of Detroit in 1931. Gurko later attended the University of Wisconsin during the early 1930s for a Master of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy.[2][4]

Career

Gurko began his career as an editor for G. P. Putnam's Sons in 1934. In 1936, Gurko became a first reader for Macmillan Inc. and stayed with Macmillan until 1962.[1] During this time period, Gurko became an English instructor for Hunter College in 1938. After being promoted to professor, he later became the English division head in 1954 and remained in his executive position until 1960.[4] During his professorship at Hunter, Gurko received a fellowship from Dodd, Mead & Co. for an unpublished version of The Angry Decade in March 1947.[5] The Angry Decade was published later that year and was about the ten-year gap between the Wall Street Crash of 1929 and the attack on Pearl Harbor.[6]

In the 1950s, Gurko released Heroes, Highbrows, and the Popular Mind in 1953.[7] In 1957, Gurko wrote about Thomas Paine with Tom Paine, Freedom's Apostle.[8] The following year, his children's biography on Paine received a Newbery Honor in 1958.[9][10] During the early 1960s, Gurko continued to write biographies with works on Joseph Conrad in 1962 and 1965.[11][12] Apart from Conrad, Gurko put out a book about Ernest Hemingway in 1968 and one on Thomas Wolfe in 1975.[13][14] In 1979, Gurko republished his 1962 Conrad biography with a newly added preface.[15]

Personal life

Gurko was married and had two children before his death in 2008.[4][16]

Gurko formed a friendship with writer Michael Stutz towards the end of his life, whose work he called "apocalyptic."[17]

References

  1. ^ a b Harte, Barbara; Riley, Carolyn, eds. (1969). "Gurko, Leo 1914-". Contemporary Authors. Vol. 5–8 (First Revision ed.). Detroit: Gale Research Company. p. 491. LCCN 62-52046. Retrieved 2 May 2020.
  2. ^ a b "Polish Youth, 13, Ends High School". Lansing State Journal. 9 July 1927. p. Nine.
  3. ^ De Montreville, Doris; Hill, Donna, eds. (1972). "Leo Gurko". Third Book of Junior Authors. New York: H.W. Wilson Company. p. 114. ISBN 0824204085. Retrieved 1 May 2020.
  4. ^ a b c Commire, Anne (1976). "Gurko, Leo 1914-". Something About the Author. Vol. 9. Detroit: Gale Research. p. 88. ISBN 0810300664. Retrieved 2 May 2020.
  5. ^ "Hunter College Professor Wins $2,000 MS Award". KIngsport Times-News. 2 March 1947. p. 7A.
  6. ^ Ware, Harlan (26 October 1947). "America's Angry Decade". Pasadena Star-News. p. 27.
  7. ^ Rogers, W. G. (October 20, 1953). "Guidepost the Literary". Madisonville Messenger. p. sec. 5 p. Three.
  8. ^ Smith, David H. (June 16, 1957). "Tom Paine's Hectic Life". Sioux Falls Argus-Leader. p. 9-C.
  9. ^ Babb, Stanley E. (November 30, 1958). "New Library Books For Young Readers". Galveston News. p. 35.
  10. ^ "Newbery Medal and Honor Books, 1922-Present". American Library Association. Retrieved 3 May 2020.
  11. ^ Inge, M. Thomas (9 September 1962). "A New Look at Conrad". The Tennessean. p. 12-E.
  12. ^ Briggs, Jon (24 October 1965). "The Heart of Darkness". Courant Magazine. p. 15.
  13. ^ Shulze, Margaret (18 August 1968). "Aspects of Heroism". Courant Magazine. p. 14.
  14. ^ Commire 1976, p. 89
  15. ^ Hershman, Marcie (10 June 1979). "Short Takes". Boston Globe. p. C18.
  16. ^ "Jane Gurko". Ukiah Daily Journal. December 14, 2010. p. 2.
  17. ^ "Only the Dead Know 'Only the Dead Know Brooklyn'". Stutzstack. Retrieved 16 Jan 2024.
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