author
William Dodge Lewis
1870–1960
An educator-editor with a gift for making language and reference books usable, he helped shape dictionaries, school texts, and practical guides for American readers in the early 20th century. His work sits at the crossroads of teaching, publishing, and everyday learning.
1 Audiobook
The Silent Readers: Sixth Reader
by William Dodge Lewis, Ethel Maltby Gehres, Albert Lindsay Rowland
About the author
William Dodge Lewis was an American educator, writer, and editor born in 1870. Syracuse University’s archival guide describes him as an educator, writer, and alumnus of the university; he earned his B.A. there in 1892, his M.A. in 1895, later received an honorary doctorate in 1917, and was awarded the George Arents Medal in 1952.
After graduate study, he worked in education as both a teacher and a principal. Records from the Theodore Roosevelt Center identify him as principal of the William Penn High School for Girls, and they also show that Roosevelt knew of his book Democracy’s High School and praised its success.
Lewis is also remembered for a long list of practical books and reference works. Library records connect his name with readers, grammar books, school texts, and dictionary projects such as The Winston Simplified Dictionary and The Winston Dictionary, suggesting a career focused on helping students and general readers use language with more confidence.