Several commentaries suggest that she borrowed the landscapes and landmarks of the area for some of her story settings, and that Pollyanna's can-do optimism was intently her own. Porter maintained her own bright outlook, and was positively sentimental about her hometown, Littleton New Hampshire. Through news clippings and public information, one gets a sense Eleanor H. By 1920, there had been 47 printings of the book and the story had been made into a Broadway play and Hollywood movie. Porter followed on the best seller lists, her sequel of Pollyanna Grows Up (1915), Miss Billy and Just David. The Pollyanna book was an immediate success on the best seller lists, and sold over a million copies reaching Europe and the United States in the first year. In 1913, she created the cheerful Pollyanna, the world-famous character whose very name inspires an understanding of gladness and optimism.' The granite pedestal bears an inscription that reveals the gem of Littleton's history and essential tribute, 'Author Eleanor Hodgman Porter (1868-1920) was born and lived in Littleton, New Hampshire. Traveling along Littleton's Main Street, it has become commonplace to look up at the library lawn to see Pollyanna in her jubilant pose, and notice others as well admiring the bronze sculpture. Porter not only invented the most optimistic literary heroine - glad and cheerful Pollyanna - she created an English-language word that then shaped the world's notion of extreme gladness. With Pollyanna her fictional and uplifting story of an orphaned girl with a sunny attitude, Eleanor H. Film - starred Mary Pickford in 1920 and Haley Mills in 1960Įleanor Hodgman Porter became a remarkable woman of history, and achieved a rare distinction internationally in the 20th century as an American novelist.Most famous Book - Pollyanna in 1913 - Topped the Best Seller list for two years.Third - Miss Billy - three bachelors and the result of a woman entering their lives (1911).Second book - Turn of the Tide dealt with Child labor (1908).

First Book - Cross Currents appeared in 1907.

Wrote between 150-200 articles for magazines.Writing Career - Wrote her first short story at age 33.Marriage - to John Lyman Porter, a native of Corinth, Vermont.

Studied in Boston - New England Conservatory.Schooling - Attended Littleton High School (tutored at home due to ill health).

Pollyanna by eleanor h porter