author
Samuel B. (Samuel Buell) Allison
1861–1932
A Chicago school principal who turned classic stories into lively reading for children, he wrote books that mixed adventure with practical lessons for the classroom. His best-known work recast Robinson Crusoe for young American readers and teachers alike.
2 Audiobooks
An American Robinson Crusoe for American Boys and Girls
by Samuel B. (Samuel Buell) Allison
The Story in Primary Instruction: Sixteen Stories and How to Use Them
by Samuel B. (Samuel Buell) Allison, H. Avis (Hannah Avis) Perdue
About the author
Born in 1861 and dying in 1932, Samuel Buell Allison was an American educator as well as a writer. Records connected with his books and public-domain author listings identify him as a principal in the Chicago Public School system.
Allison wrote for both children and teachers. His books include An American Robinson Crusoe for American Boys and Girls, a 1918 adaptation of Defoe's famous castaway story for younger readers, and The Teacher's Robinson Crusoe, which reshaped the tale for classroom use across subjects such as language, nature study, and history.
He also co-authored The Story in Primary Instruction with Hannah Avis Perdue, showing his broader interest in storytelling as a teaching tool. Taken together, his work suggests a practical, imaginative approach to education: using narrative to help children learn not just to read, but to think, observe, and connect ideas.