Eric P. (Eric Philbrook) Kelly

Born in Amesbury, Massachusetts, in 1884, Eric Philbrook Kelly became an American journalist, teacher, and author of children’s books. He graduated from Dartmouth College, worked in journalism for several years, and later returned to Dartmouth as a professor of English. He also spent time lecturing at the Jagiellonian University in Kraków, an experience that helped shape his lasting interest in Poland and its history.

Kelly is best remembered for The Trumpeter of Krakow, his first published book, which won the 1929 Newbery Medal. The novel introduced many American readers to Polish culture through a lively historical adventure, and it remained his signature work. His writing often reflected his fascination with Central Europe and his gift for making history feel vivid and personal.

Beyond his books, Kelly built a career that joined scholarship with storytelling. His background in reporting, teaching, and international experience gave his work warmth, clarity, and a strong sense of setting. For listeners and readers today, he remains a notable early twentieth-century children’s author whose most famous novel still carries the excitement of legend and history told together.