A. H. Armstrong

Born in 1911, William Howard Armstrong was an American educator and writer, primarily recognized for his children's literature. Despite early childhood struggles with asthma and vision, he developed a love for stories, influenced by his mother and the narrative style of the Bible, appreciating its conciseness. This appreciation for omission later informed his writing. After graduating from Hampden-Sydney College and pursuing graduate studies, Armstrong embarked on a career that blended farming with education. He taught history for over five decades at Kent School in Connecticut. His writing career began with educational guides, but he achieved significant acclaim with his 1969 novel, Sounder, which depicted an African-American sharecropping family and earned him the prestigious Newbery Medal. Armstrong passed away in 1999, leaving a legacy recognized by his alma mater, which houses his award and awarded him an honorary doctorate.

William H. Armstrong was born in Lexington, Virginia, in 1911. His childhood was marked by health challenges, including asthma and vision problems, which made school difficult. His mother fostered a deep love for storytelling in him, and he found particular inspiration in the Bible. Armstrong noted that the Bible's effectiveness stemmed from its omissions, allowing readers to project themselves into the narratives, a technique he later employed in his own writing. A family story, recounted by an elderly Black man about Odysseus's loyal dog Argus, particularly captivated him and served as a foundational inspiration for his most famous work, Sounder.

After completing his education, which included degrees from Hampden-Sydney College and graduate work at the University of Virginia, Armstrong combined farming with carpentry and stonemasonry. In 1945, he began a long tenure as a history master at Kent School in Connecticut, teaching classical and ancient history for 52 years. His writing career commenced with educational self-help books, starting with "Study Is Hard Work" in 1956. He received recognition for his contributions to education, including the National School Bell Award. His literary career culminated in the publication of "Sounder" in 1969, a novel celebrated for its portrayal of an African-American sharecropping family, which garnered critical acclaim and the Newbery Medal.

Following the success of "Sounder," Armstrong continued to write, exploring themes of history and biblical narratives. His other notable novels include "The Sour Land," a continuation of the "Sounder" narrative, and "The Mills of God." He also wrote "The MacLeod Place," which addressed the displacement of families due to development. His later works often featured historical or biblical figures, such as "Hadassah: Esther the Orphan Queen" and "The Education of Abraham Lincoln." Armstrong passed away in 1999 at the age of 87. His alma mater, Hampden-Sydney College, honored him with an honorary Doctor of Letters in 1986 and maintains a dedicated children's book section in his name at its library, which houses his Newbery Medal.

“No one told me the Bible was not for young readers, so I found some exciting stories in it.”

“Not until years later did I understand why I liked the Bible stories so much. It was because everything that could possibly be omitted [left out] was omitted. There was no description of David so I could be like David...”