Miriam Ann Hodgson (née Rosenthal, 10 December 1938 – 14 November 2005) was a British editor of children's books. In their obituary, ''

The Guardian ''The Guardian'' is a British daily newspaper. It was founded in 1821 as ''The Manchester Guardian'', and changed its name in 1959. Along with its sister papers '' The Observer'' and '' The Guardian Weekly'', ''The Guardian'' is part of the ...

'' called her "one of the most successful children's books editors of the last 20 years, and one of the best loved".

Early life

She was born on 10 December 1938 at Denison House, Denison Road,

Rusholme Rusholme () is an area of Manchester, England, two miles south of the city centre. The population of the ward at the 2011 census was 13,643. Rusholme is bounded by Chorlton-on-Medlock to the north, Victoria Park and Longsight to the east, F ...

Manchester Manchester () is a city in Greater Manchester, England. It had a population of 552,000 in 2021. It is bordered by the Cheshire Plain to the south, the Pennines to the north and east, and the neighbouring city of Salford to the west. The ...

, the only daughter of Erwin Isak Jacob Rosenthal (1904–1991), a Hebrew scholar and orientalist, and his wife, Elisabeth Charlotte Rosenthal, née Marx (1907–1996). Her brother was the publisher Tom Rosenthal. She was educated at the

Perse School for Girls The Stephen Perse Foundation is a family of independent schools in Cambridge and Saffron Walden for students aged 1 to 18. The Foundation is made up of 3 nurseries (2 in Cambridge and 1 in Saffron Walden, Essex) for ages 1–5, 2 Junior Schoo ...

, Cambridge, followed by St Anne's College, Oxford, where she earned a degree in modern history in 1960.

Career

She started her career at the publishers Ernest Benn (which later became

Associated Book Publishers Associated may refer to: *Associated, former name of Avon, Contra Costa County, California * Associated Hebrew Schools of Toronto, a school in Canada *Associated Newspapers, former name of DMG Media, a British publishing company See also *Associati ...

), as an editor of adult books, and it was where she met her husband, Julian Russell Hodgson, then head of the education department. After the birth of her only child, she returned to work part-time as a children's books editor, and in 1986 became editorial director of publishing at Methuen Children's Books. Hodgson edited the work of "many of the best children's writers of her time", including

Jamila Gavin Jamila Gavin (born 9 August 1941) is a British writer born in Mussoorie in the United Provinces of India, in the present-day state of Uttarakhand in the Western Himalayas. She is known mainly for children's books, including several with Indian ...

, Michelle Magorian,

Anne Fine Anne Fine OBE FRSL (born 7 December 1947) is an English writer. Although best known for children's books, she also writes for adults. She is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature and she was appointed an OBE in 2003. Fine has written more ...

Michael Morpurgo Sir Michael Andrew Bridge Morpurgo (''né'' Bridge; 5 October 1943) is an English book author, poet, playwright, and librettist who is known best for children's novels such as '' War Horse'' (1982). His work is noted for its "magical storytelli ...

, Caroline Pitcher, Carlo Gebler,

Theresa Breslin Theresa Breslin is a Scottish author. Winner of many literary awards, including the prestigious Carnegie Medal, Theresa Breslin is the popular, critically acclaimed author of over 50 titles covering every age range, whose books have been adapted ...

Bel Mooney Beryl Ann "Bel" Mooney (born 8 October 1946) is an English journalist and broadcaster. She currently writes a column for the ''Daily Mail'', having previously written – mainly as a columnist – for other publications including the ''Daily Mirro ...

, and

Jenny Nimmo Jenny Nimmo (born 15 January 1944) is a British author of children's books, including fantasy and adventure novels, chapter books, and picture books. Born in England, she has lived mostly in Wales for 40 years. She is probably best known for two ...

. Hodgson compiled anthologies for teenagers of stories, mostly from authors she edited, including ''Heartache'' (1991), ''Mother's Day'' (1992), ''Mixed Feelings'' (1997), and ''Sisters'' (1998).

Awards

In 1999 she was editor of the year at the

British Book Awards The British Book Awards or Nibbies are literary awards for the best UK writers and their works, administered by '' The Bookseller''. The awards have had several previous names, owners and sponsors since being launched in 1990, including the Nationa ...

, and in 2003 she won the

Eleanor Farjeon Award The Eleanor Farjeon Award is made for distinguished service to the world of British children's books and is given to someone whose commitment and contribution is deemed to be outstanding. Founded in 1966, it is presented annually in memory of the ce ...

, from the

Children's Book Circle The Children's Book Circle (CBC) is a not-for-profit organisation, founded in 1962, that supports the British children's book Children's literature or juvenile literature includes stories, books, magazines, and poems that are created for ch ...

, "for outstanding services to children's literature".

Personal life

On 28 November 1969, she married her publishing colleague Julian Russell Hodgson, head of the education department at Ernest Benn, son of the Rev. John Hodgson, at St Pancras Register Office. They had one daughter, Elinor.

Later life

On 14 November 2005, she died of ovarian cancer at

St George's Hospital St George's Hospital is a large teaching hospital in Tooting, London. Founded in 1733, it is one of the UK's largest teaching hospitals and one of the largest hospitals in Europe. It is run by the St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundatio ...

, Tooting, London.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Hodgson, Miriam Ann 1938 births 2005 deaths 20th-century British women writers Alumni of St Anne's College, Oxford People educated at the Perse School for Girls British editors British women editors Deaths from cancer in England Deaths from ovarian cancer People from Rusholme