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Eleanor H. Porter

Eleanor Hodgeman Porter (1868 - 1920) first gained acclaim at amateur concerts and church appearances for her fine voice. Porter later traded singing for writing. She published short stories in ladies' and youth magazines but gained success with Pollyanna (1912), one of the all time best selling books. It was followed by Pollyanna Grows Up (1914). The immense popularity of this sentimental novel about an orphan whose "glad game" brings pace and happiness to those she meets spawned "Glad Clubs" across the country. "Pollyanna" (see below) became a synonym for someone who was always happy. Later, it developed a pejorative sense for the same reason.

After Porter's death, her publisher revived the characters with a series of "Glad Books."

"You breathe all the time you're sleep, but you aren't living. I mean living -- doing the things you want to do. That's what I call living, Aunt Polly. Just breathing isn't living!"

Quote from "Pollyanna"

pollyanna: a person characterized by irrepressible optimism and a tendency to find good in everything.

Etymology: Pollyanna, heroine of the novel Pollyanna (1913) by Eleanor Porter (died 1920) American fiction writer.

Date first used: 1921

Adapted from Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictonary 2000

This article was written by Knowledgerush staff or contributed by users. All text is available under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License.

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Posted by kessia85@bol.com.br October 14th, 2003
Eu li aos dois livros "Pollyana" e "pollyana Moça" de Eleanor H.Porter São exepcionais, além de muito expressivos.Gostaria de saber mais sobre as outras obras.
Posted by Anonymous December 6th, 2003
The book "Pollyanna was a great book I loved it Iam going to read Pollyanna grows up bye
Posted by Anonymous December 31st, 2003
why did she write this book
Posted by amanda_onlyme@hotmail.com February 4th, 2004
Oh my! I just adore your books they are delisously interresting! I love these book because of all the pasion that is put in to it! Not only the pasion that I love, but the drama! Its just might be the most perfect book I have every read in my life!(Althought I do get in trouble if I dont put the book down!) I have read them so many times!
Posted by lepi@aol.com February 7th, 2004
I have a 1916 "Just David", by Eleanor H. Porter. Can anyone guide me to a site where I might find out the book's value? Thank you
Posted by yjasmin@sympatico.ca June 6th, 2004
As a child, early 30's I suppose, I had a board game called Polyanna but never knew the significance of the name until recently.

Someone told me the story of an ever optimistic boy. His parents got annoyed and filled his room with horse manure to gauge his reaction. He came downstairs beaming : "You bought me a poney !"

Posted by suspect@iaw.on.ca September 15th, 2004
I have come across an interesting bit of ephemera for those interested in collecting Eleanor H. Porter material. It is an advertising brochure for The Pollyanna Calendar for 1916, oublished by the Page Company, Boston. ; on the verso is a description of "The Glad Book Calendar" and also offers for sale copies of the 1915 calendar at a reduced price. Digital photos on request. I'll probably put it up for sale on ebay in Nov. 2004 but will entertain offers if anyone is interested.E-mail me at suspect@iaw.on.ca
Posted by Anonymous September 30th, 2004
Good i`m brazilian but i liked your books a lot!!!
Posted by lianneb0815@colch-inst.ac.uk November 3rd, 2004
Pollyanna is a great book i am reading it for the fifth time because i really enjoyed reading the book. My favourite part of the story is where pollyanna plays the glad game with John Pendleton
Posted by peg December 7th, 2004
I have a painting that I believe could be the work of Eleanor Hodgeman Porter's mother. I am trying to find any decendants of Eleanor's to see if there are any of Mrs. hodgeman's paintings still in the family, and if so we can compare them. thanks, Peg
Posted by orgs52@peoplepc.com May 29th, 2005
I bought a book from the salvation army call Dawn and it is over 80yrs old and I wanted to know the value of it
Posted by suspect@iaw.on.ca March 2nd, 2006
I have come across an interesting bit of ephemera for those interested in collecting Eleanor H. Porter material. It is an advertising brochure for The Pollyanna Calendar for 1916, oublished by the Page Company, Boston. ; on the verso is a description of "The Glad Book Calendar" and also offers for sale copies of the 1915 calendar at a reduced price. Digital photos on request. I will entertain offers if anyone is interested.E-mail me at suspect@iaw.on.ca
Posted by psyevin@buffalo.edu August 16th, 2006
I am interested in fidning information about the glad clubs - are there any good sources with information on how many how many people were involved, and how they operated? I am also intereested in finding the collection of fan mail about Pollyanny. I am sure they existed at one time, but they are not archived in any collection with which I am familiar. Any help would be appreciated. Murray Levine
Posted by Pizza October 11th, 2006
Her books are interesting and juicey. You can hardly stop reading, even if it is for school. Pollyanna is always getting into stuff, and being glad about something. I think we should ues that in everyday life. when your sister is annoying at least you don't have a brother. You can always be glad about something even in hard times. Like when plyanna broke her leg in the book Pollyanna. So think about something to be glad for even in the hardest times. Yep even if your brother or sister is annoying or bossy.(mine is extremely bossy.)
Posted by number one October 11th, 2006
I really like her books! There so interesting. I have only read one book but it was really interesting.I would love to and will read more of her books.The book I read is called Pollyanna.Pollyanna was right you can always find a reason to be happy over everything.
Posted by Poster or Pizza,9 years old October 11th, 2006
Also Pollyanna is right about living. When your sleep your living ,but not really living. You have to have some play time somewhere in your day or life.Have fun while you can. One time we made a snowflake house in our basement for our mom and dad. And if sometimes you wake-up before them(and you can use the stove)make a breakfast for them.(we made a breakfast of eggs, fruit salad, pancakes or waffles,and cooked ham ,hotdogs(they taste really good cooked on the stove) or bacon. Also, add some coffe if you know how to make it. You can also make a homade movie theater. By getting some chairs and a movie you all like to watch.You'll all set.
Posted by Pizza October 11th, 2006
number one is my sister
Posted by bebebama@ardmore.net July 3rd, 2007
I have a 1916 book "Just David" by Eleanor Porter. Can anyone tell me its worth?
Posted by psylevin@ buffalo.edu August 25th, 2007
I am interested in Eleanor Hodgman Porter and have been searching for the collection of fan letters she received about Pollyanna and about glad Clubs. These letters were in the possession of her husband,Johyn lyman Porter and have been referenced in two magazine articles some 30 years apart. I would greatly appreciate any information about the whereabouts of these letters and hoiw to access them.
Posted by native6th@yahoo.com March 19th, 2008
have just read Miss Billy. what a delightful work. paid $2.5o at an auction. what a find. the vocabulay is refreshing. and the values are everlasting. why don't we encourage our young people to read more of the old classics. they are also excellent for reading aloud. Or does no one do thay anymore.

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Books by Eleanor H. Porter

Across the Years
[Text][Paginated Text]

Dawn
[Text][Paginated Text]

Just David
[Text][Paginated Text]

Miss Billie Married
[Text][Paginated Text]

Miss Billie's Decision
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Oh, Money! Money!
[Text][Paginated Text]

Pollyanna
[Text]

Pollyanna Grows Up
[Text][Paginated Text]



 

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