Frances Jenkins Olcott

Born in 1872 and remembered today for her work in children's literature, she was an American librarian, editor, and compiler of story collections for young readers. She is especially associated with reading guides and anthologies that brought together fairy tales, ballads, myths, and classic stories in forms children and families could easily enjoy.

Her career was closely tied to the world of libraries and children's reading. She worked with the New York Public Library and became known for encouraging storytelling and thoughtful book selection for children at a time when librarians were beginning to treat children's services as a serious and important field.

Her many books include collections such as The Children's Reading and Story-Telling Ballads. Although she is less widely known now than some of the authors she helped preserve, her work played a lasting part in introducing generations of young readers to traditional literature.