1948

This book was written just after Grace's death. It uses a very detached style, more like a newspaper or scholarly report. It has some great photos that are not found in later books, many of which were used in J. B. Lippincott promotional literature. One of the interesting items found here is the planning of the Grace Livingston Hill Memorial Library which was open to the public for several years after her death. Much of this book's content is taken from previous published material on Grace's life and it is accurate with a few exceptions.

Written by Mr. Jean Karr (yes, he's a man - many later biographies mistakenly refer to him as a woman), this book's first edition was copyrighted in 1948 by Greenberg Publisher. It is known to have been printed by Grosset & Dunlap in that era. Do you know of other editions? Please This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Corrections to keep in mind as you read:

• Grace's father was not exclusively a Presbyterian Minister, as Karr writes. In fact, the church he was pastoring when Grace was born was a Congregational church. Karr implies that Rev. Livingston's ministry caused conflict and led to many moves, causing hardship for his family. This incorrect assmption is repeated often by later biographers. Historical church records prove just the opposite. Rev. Livingston was often ill and found it necessary more than once to leave a church because of his serious throat problems, a difficult thing for a preacher to deal with. At one point the denomination actually transferred him to Florida, hoping the change in climate would improve his health.
  
  
• Karr writes that "The Story of a Whim" grew from Grace's "visits" to Florida as a young girl, but she actually lived there and taught physical education at Rollins College in Winter Park. Many of the references in "The Story of a Whim" are family-related.
  
  
• Karr dates Grace's second marriage (to F.J. Lutz) as 1916, but they were married in 1904.
  
  
• He talks about Grace's views on the movies, but neglects to mention that several of her books made their way to the silver screen!
  
  
• Karr places her grave in Jamestown, but it's actually in the Johnstown Cemetery in Johnstown, NY.