Leone Adelson (1908–2003)

Leone Adelson was born in Harlem, New York on June 13, 1908 and raised in New York City. She received her bachelor’s degree in Education at Brooklyn College and then her master’s degree from New York University in 1947. Adelson worked as an elementary school teacher in Brooklyn Public Schools from 1932-1946, and then taught deaf children at nursery school level in New York City’s School for the Deaf. She was also a member of the New York Board of Education. Additionally, Adelson was writer, director and producer of the Chelsea Community Closed Circuit Television project funded by the Ford Foundation from 1946 to 1960. She retired in 1966 after having worked for the New York City public school system for 35 years.

Adelson began writing for children after World War II, and was a frequent collaborator with children’s poet Lilian Moore, a fellow teacher. Together they penned several titles, beginning with Old Rosie in 1952. Adelson spent her retirement traveling, writing, and becoming involved in various causes. She was a member of the Loose Ender’s writers group, and she volunteered for both the Friends of the Zoo in Bronx, NY and Wave Hill Environmental Education Center where she conducted guided tours to teach children about nature. She passed away on May 4, 2003 at the age of 94.

(source: The University of Southern Mississippi - de Grummond Children's Literature Collection)