Millicent Ellis Selsam (May 30, 1912 – October 12, 1996)[1] was an American children's author.
Millicent Selsam | |
|---|---|
| Born | Millicent Ellis Selsam May 30, 1912 New York City, New York, U.S. |
| Died | October 12, 1996 (aged 84) |
| Nationality | American |
| Alma mater | Brooklyn College |
| Occupation | Children’s author |
| Spouse | Howard Selsam |
| Children | 1 |
Selsam was born May 30, 1912, in New York City. She became interested in biology during her high school years. She took this interest to college when she studied biology at Brooklyn College. She was then offered a fellowship teaching at Columbia University while completing an M.A. in botany.[2]
After receiving her M.A., Selsam taught high school science before deciding to write science discovery books for children in 1946.[3] Her first book was Egg to Chick. After that her work found outlets at Harper & Row, Morrow, Macmillan, Doubleday and Walker, among other publishers.[4] For some years she taught biology at Brooklyn College and in New York City high schools.
Selsam wrote over a hundred children's books and was married to the philosopher Howard Selsam.[5] During her career, she was the recipient of many awards, including the 1965 Thomas Alva Edison Mass Media Award for best children's science book, Biography of an Atom.[5]
Selsam married Howard Selsam. They had one child, Robert.[5]
She died age 84 on October 12, 1996.[5]
