Harriette Gillem Robinet, inspired by the rich tapestry of family lore,
weaves African-American history into the fabric of her fictional tales. Born on
July 14, 1931, in the heart of Washington D.C., she emerged from a lineage of
educators—Richard Avitus and Martha (Gray) Gillem. Growing up in Virginia,
Robinet was nurtured in a Roman Catholic household. Summers at Arlington,
Virginia, offered playful escapes near the very plantation where her paternal
grandfather had once been enslaved under Robert E. Lee. It was her great-aunt
Anice who illuminated her youth with vivid tales of hardship intertwined with
joy, recounting the clever escapades of slaves outsmarting their captors. These
powerful oral histories became the bedrock for Robinet's later literary
creations.
Childhood brought with it the cruel sting of segregation for Robinet,
leaving an indelible mark on her formative years. She endured the indignity of
riding segregated buses, often forced to relinquish her seat to white
passengers, and faced harassment in public libraries and white neighborhoods,
especially when seeking a shortcut home during rain-soaked days. A haunting
image of a lynching in Virginia left an imprint on her soul, profoundly
influencing her journey as a writer.
An Academic Journey
Graduating with distinction from Washington D.C.'s Dunbar High School,
Robinet embarked on a scholarly path at the College of New Rochelle in New
York. Her academic pursuits diverged from the conventional path of many
children's authors, delving into the microscopic world of microbiology. By
1953, she had secured her bachelor's degree and continued her quest for
knowledge at the Catholic University of America, achieving a master's in
science by 1957 and a doctorate five years later. Her initial foray into the
professional world saw her as a bacteriologist at Washington D.C.'s Children's
Hospital before transitioning to the Walter Reed Army Medical Center.
From 1957 to 1958, Robinet took on the role of a biology instructor at
Xavier University in New Orleans, Louisiana. Here, the specter of segregation
loomed large, preventing her from freely exploring library stacks and confining
her to the "Colored" section of buses. Encounters with students' stories of
black southern life enriched her understanding and lent authenticity to her
fiction. This period of her life in the Deep South became a reservoir of
inspiration, feeding factual details into her compelling narratives.
Family and Career
On August 6, 1960, Harriette Gillem wed McLouis Joseph Robinet, and together
they settled in Oak Park, Illinois. Here, she dedicated two years as a civilian
food bacteriologist with the United States Army Quartermaster Corps, while her
husband contributed as a health physicist at the Argonne National Laboratory.
Their family blossomed with six children.
Literary Contributions
Politically aligned with the Democrats, Robinet also finds solace amidst the
petals of her beloved orchids, as a member of the American Orchid Society. Her
literary passion found its initial expression in 1976 with the publication of
her first children's book, Jay and the Marigold, inspired by her son
with cerebral palsy. Four years hence, Ride the Red Cycle emerged, and
she ventured into adult science fiction with a manuscript titled Microbes of
Gold. The 1990s marked her foray into young adult novels.
Robinet's stories elegantly dance through history, predominantly featuring
African American characters and the enduring themes of liberty and
emancipation. Fire and war frequently symbolize the tumultuous transformations
her characters undergo. Many of her narratives unfold as mysteries, where
Robinet deftly humanizes history, offering tales that entertain while
enlightening. Despite the occasional didactic tone, her books, articles, and
magazine contributions showcase her commitment to both education and
storytelling.
Accolades and Achievements
Her literary prowess has not gone unnoticed. Robinet...
has been the recipient of numerous accolades, including the Notable Books in Social Studies Award and the 1991 Friends of American Writers Young Peoples Literature Award. Her work has also been recognized with the Carl Sandburg Award and the Society of Midland Authors' 1998 Award for Children's Literature. The year 1998 saw her book,Forty Acres and Maybe a Mule, honored with the Scott O'Dell
Historical Fiction Award. Furthermore, Walking to the Bus-Rider Blues
earned a nomination for a 2001 Edgar Allan Poe Award for best juvenile
mystery.
In preparation for writing Walking to the Bus-Rider Blues, Robinet
ventured to Montgomery, Alabama, in 1997, immersing herself in the local
history and climatic conditions as her characters would have experienced.
Although the city had since transformed with modern expansions, Robinet's keen
eye envisioned the foundational elements of Montgomery during the tense
narrative of the bus boycott, allowing her to recreate Alfa's world with
authenticity and depth.