Renowned book editor Jeannette Hopkins dies at 88
Social justice at heart of work
PORTSMOUTH — The literary world suffered a great loss last week when Jeannette Hopkins, a city resident and world-renowned book editor, died unexpectedly at the age of 88. Hopkins died while in the hospital due to complications from a medical condition on Aug. 4, according to her niece, Carol Gray.
Her commitment to her craft was evident up until the hours before her death, said Gray, who called her aunt one of the most influential and iconic book editors of the post-World War II era. "She continued to work full time up to the hours before her death," Gray said. "The latest manuscript she was editing lay on the table next to her bed."
Calling her death a "great loss," Gray said Hopkins was highly respected in her field. The list of authors and editors she worked with could serve as proof of that, she said. They included James MacGregor Burns, Kenneth Clark, Frank Mankiewicz, Edwin Newman, Annie Dillard, Richard Rovere, C.S. Lewis and many more.
Having graduated as valedictorian of Vassar College's Class of 1944, Hopkins went on to study at Columbia School of Journalism. In addition to editing, Gray said Hopkins was also a great writer and co-authored a book with Kenneth Clark called "A Relevant War Against Poverty: A Study of Community Action Programs and Observable Social Change." She started her career as a reporter for the New Haven Register and went on to work at the Providence Journal-Bulletin and later the Oklahoma City Times. She then became senior editor at various publishing companies.
But writing was not her only passion, according to Gray. Hopkins was an elected at-large member of the National Board of the American Civil Liberties Union. Gray said Hopkins would often comment that she was the only person alive who had ever read every page of the FBI files from the McCarthy era obtained by the ACLU when she was on the National Board. Hopkins remained a member of the ACLU's National Advisory Council until her death. "She had a heart for social justice like no one else," Gray said.
Locally, Hopkins was a longtime member of the South Church. Gray said her aunt spent many years enjoying the Unitarian conferences on Star Island in the Isles of Shoals.
Having moved to Portsmouth in the early 1990s, Gray said Hopkins rarely left her home on Prey Street but still remained active in the community. "She didn't get out much, but the community came to her," she said.
A memorial celebration service is slated for 10 a.m. Labor Day, Sept. 5, at South Church, Gray said. A reception will be held in Hopkins' garden following the service.
Gray said donations in lieu of flowers should be made in Hopkins' name to the NAACP Legal Defense Fund or the ACLU Foundation.
(Note: Jeannette would have been pleased to see she made the front page. Here is a link to this Portsmouth Herald article: http://www.seacoastonline.com/articles/20110808-NEWS-108080324)
No comments:
Post a Comment