Dorothy Hamilton papers and photographs

Dorothy Drumm was born in 1906 in Monroe Township. She lived in Delaware County, Indiana, all of her life, where she attended Cowan School, Muncie Central High School, and Ball State University. She worked in a factory to put herself through school. At the age of nineteen, Dorothy married Harry D. Hamilton and left college to become a farm wife and to raise a family.

Mrs. Hamilton grew up in the Methodist Church, and she devoted much of her life to rearing seven children. In the 1960’s she turned to tutoring “slow learners” who, under her guidance and gentle encouragement, were turned into excellent students. After the last of her seven children were out of the home, Dorothy Hamilton emerged as an author of children’s books, dealing with such themes as divorced parents, drug use at school, jealousy, moving to a new neighborhood, poverty, racial relations, foster homes, migrant labor, adequate housing, and alcoholic parents. She used these themes to teach children how to cope with similar problems in their own lives.

Her first children’s book, Anita’s Choice, was published in 1971. In addition to children’s books, she also wrote numerous serials and articles published in magazines. As a result of her prolific writings, Dorothy Hamilton gained widespread recognition among children who looked upon her as “Grandma Moses.”

Early in 1979 the Indiana State Council of the International Reading Association presented her with its “Outstanding Contribution in the Field of Reading Award.” In May 1979 Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana, conferred an honorary Doctor of Letters degree on Mrs. Hamilton for her significant contribution to children’s literature.

Mrs. Hamilton was also the catalyst for the foundation of the Midwest Writers Workshop. Sprung from the Dorothy Hamilton Writers’ Club, the Workshop was created in 1975 and, until her death, Hamilton instructed many of the sessions. She also was heavily involved with the annual Young Authors Conference.

Dorothy Hamilton died in September 1983, and a memorial service for her was held on September 16, 1983, at the Friends Memorial Church. The obituary from the Muncie Star described Dorothy Hamilton’s life as “Caring...Sharing...Love...Enthusiasm.” She is also remembered for her role as mother, homemaker, teacher, speaker, and author.