History of Beverly Cleary in Timeline
"Beverly Cleary, a celebrated American author, made a lasting impact on children's and young adult literature. With over 91 million copies sold globally, her books have captivated readers since 1950. Her memorable characters, including Ramona and Beezus Quimby, Henry Huggins, and Ralph S. Mouse, continue to resonate with audiences today."
April 12, 1916: Beverly Cleary's Birth
American children's author Beverly Atlee Cleary was born on April 12, 1916.
1934: Graduation from Grant High School and College Entry
Beverly Cleary graduated from Grant High School in Portland and enrolled at Chaffey Junior College in California in 1934.
1938: Bachelor's Degree and Meeting Future Husband
Cleary earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the University of California, Berkeley, in 1938 and met her future husband, Clarence Cleary, during this time.
1939: Start of Librarian Career
Beverly Cleary began her career as a children's librarian in Yakima, Washington, upon graduating from the University of Washington in 1939.
1939: Library Science Degree and Librarian Position
Completing her studies at the University of Washington with a library science degree, Cleary accepted a children's librarian role in Yakima, Washington, in 1939.
1940: Marriage and New Beginnings
Beverly Cleary and Clarence Cleary eloped and married in 1940. They later settled in Carmel-by-the-Sea, California, after World War II.
1940: Transition from Librarian to Post Librarian
Beverly Cleary's career took her from being a children's librarian to serving as the post librarian at Camp John T. Knight in Oakland, California, in 1940.
1942: Post Librarian at U.S. Army Hospital
Beverly Cleary began working as the post librarian at the U.S. Army Hospital at Camp John T. Knight in Oakland, California, in 1942.
1945: End of Post Librarian Role
Beverly Cleary finished her role as the post librarian at the U.S. Army Hospital at Camp John T. Knight in 1945.
1950: First Book Publication
Beverly Cleary's first book was published in 1950, marking the beginning of her successful career as a children's author.
1950: Publication of "Henry Huggins"
Beverly Cleary published her first book, "Henry Huggins," in 1950, which was inspired by her experiences as a librarian and the children she encountered.
1950
1950 was the start of the Henry Huggins series.
1955: Birth of Twins
Beverly Cleary became a mother to twins, Malcolm and Marianne, in 1955.
1955: First Quimby Sisters Book
Beverly Cleary published her first book centered around the Quimby sisters, Beezus and Ramona, in 1955, after initially resisting the idea of writing about a kindergartner.
1955
The Ramona series was first published in 1955.
1964
1964 marked the end of the Henry Huggins series.
1973: William Allen White Children's Book Award
Beverly Cleary received the William Allen White Children's Book Award for "Socks" in 1973.
1975: Laura Ingalls Wilder Award
In recognition of her lasting impact on children's literature, Beverly Cleary received the Laura Ingalls Wilder Award from the American Library Association in 1975.
1978: Newbery Honor for "Ramona and Her Father"
Beverly Cleary received a Newbery Honor in 1978 for "Ramona and Her Father."
1980: Catholic Library Association's Regina Medal
The Catholic Library Association recognized Beverly Cleary's contributions with the Regina Medal in 1980.
1981: National Book Award Win
Beverly Cleary won the National Book Award for "Ramona and Her Mother" in 1981.
1981: National Book Award for "Ramona and Her Mother"
Beverly Cleary's book "Ramona and Her Mother" was awarded the National Book Award in the children's fiction category in 1981.
1982: Newbery Honor for "Ramona Quimby, Age 8"
"Ramona Quimby, Age 8" brought Beverly Cleary another Newbery Honor in 1982.
1984: Newbery Medal for "Dear Mr. Henshaw"
"Dear Mr. Henshaw" earned Beverly Cleary the prestigious Newbery Medal in 1984.
1984: Newbery Medal Win
Beverly Cleary was awarded the Newbery Medal for her book "Dear Mr. Henshaw" in 1984.
1984: Nomination for Hans Christian Andersen Award
Beverly Cleary's work earned her a nomination for the prestigious Hans Christian Andersen Award in 1984, showcasing her international recognition.
1985: Children's Book Council's Every Child Award
Beverly Cleary's work was honored with the Children's Book Council's Every Child Award in 1985.
1988: Publication of "A Girl from Yamhill"
Beverly Cleary shared her childhood experiences through her memoir, "A Girl from Yamhill," published in 1988.
1995: Release of Memoir "My Own Two Feet"
Beverly Cleary published her second memoir, "My Own Two Feet," in 1995, chronicling her journey from college to becoming an author.
1995: Statues Erected in Grant Park
Statues of Beverly Cleary's famous characters were erected in Grant Park, Portland, in 1995 as a tribute to her work.
1997: Dedication of the Beverly Cleary Children's Library
The Central Library in Portland, Oregon, dedicated its children's room to Beverly Cleary in 1997, naming it the Beverly Cleary Children's Library.
1999
The final book in the Ramona series was published in 1999.
April 2000: Library of Congress Living Legend
Beverly Cleary was honored as a Library of Congress Living Legend in April 2000 for her contributions to American literature.
2003: National Medal of Arts Recipient
Beverly Cleary was awarded the National Medal of Arts in 2003, a testament to her significant contributions to the arts.
2004: Passing of Clarence Cleary
Beverly Cleary's husband, Clarence Cleary, passed away in 2004.
2004: Establishment of the Beverly Cleary Endowed Chair
The University of Washington Information School established the Beverly Cleary Endowed Chair for Children and Youth Services in 2004 to honor her contributions to children's literature and librarianship.
June 2008: School Renaming
Fernwood Grammar School, which Beverly Cleary attended, was renamed Beverly Cleary School in June 2008.
2008: Alumna Summa Laude Dignatus Award
The University of Washington bestowed its highest honor, the Alumna Summa Laude Dignatus Award, on Beverly Cleary in 2008.
2011: Reflection on Career
At 95, during a 2011 interview with the Los Angeles Times, Beverly Cleary expressed great satisfaction with her writing career.
2012: "Ramona the Pest" Ranked 24th
A 2012 survey by the School Library Journal placed Beverly Cleary's "Ramona the Pest" as the 24th most popular children's novel.
April 12, 2016: 100th Birthday Celebration
Beverly Cleary celebrated her 100th birthday on April 12, 2016.
April 2016: "Discovering Beverly Cleary" Documentary
Oregon Public Broadcasting produced "Discovering Beverly Cleary," a documentary about Beverly Cleary's life, to commemorate her 100th birthday in April 2016.
March 25, 2021: Beverly Cleary's Death
Beverly Cleary, a beloved American children's author, passed away on March 25, 2021, at 104.
April 22, 2021: United States Senate resolution honoring Beverly Cleary
On April 22, 2021, the United States Senate passed a resolution to honor the life and legacy of Cleary, sponsored by Senator Ron Wyden of Oregon.