Mary Q. Steele

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Mary Quintard Govan Steele (May 8, 1922 – July 6, 1992) was a noted American author and naturalist. She wrote over twenty books: some adult-style, but mostly children's books. One of her books, Journey Outside, was a Newbery Honor Book. Steele sometimes wrote under the names Wilson Gage and J. N. Darby.

Biography[]

Early life[]

Mary Quintard Govan Steele was born on May 8, 1922 in Chattanooga, Tennessee to Gilbert and Christine N. Govan. She graduated from the University of Chattanooga.

Career[]

Her first book, The Secret of the Indian Mound, was published in 1958. In The Living Year, one of her only adult novels, she wrote, "I did not become a writer, but was born one, waking up in the morning to sort the day into scenes and characters and descriptions."

Personal life[]

She was married to author William O. Steele.

Death[]

She died on July 6, 1992 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

Selected works[]

• The Secret of the Indian Mound (1958)
• The Secret of Crossbone Hill, written as Wilson Gage (1959)
• Miss Osborne-the-Mop, written as Wilson Gage (1963)
• Cully Cully and the Bear, written as Wilson Gage, illustrated by James Stevenson (1983)
• Anna's Summer Songs, poetry illustrated by Lena Anderson (1988)
• The Living Year

References[]

• Mary Govan Steele dies; noted author, naturalist. The Chattanooga Times, July 6, 1992.

Papers[]

• Mary Q. Steele collection, 1922–1992. 0.5 linear feet University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
• Gage Wilson Papers 1976. Collection contains correspondence for Squash Pie. University of Minnesota, Minneapolis. 1 folder.
• Steele, Mary Q. Papers, 1969-1979. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. c 1.9 linear ft.
• Steele, Mary Q. Mary Quintard Steele collection, undated. Chattanooga-Hamilton County Bicentennial Library 0.3 linear ft. Manuscript and galley proofs of "Living Year" and "First of the Penguins.".

External links[]

• Mary Q. Steele at Library of Congress Authorities, with 16 catalog records
• Wilson Gage at Library of Congress Authorities