Louise Halsey collection of letters from Maurice Sendak

1954-2001 [bulk 1954-1992]

Maurice Sendak (1928-2012) was an American illustrator and children's book author. Born in Brooklyn, New York, Sendak began drawing professionally in the late 1940s and began writing and illustrating children's books in the 1950s. In 1964 Sendak wrote and illustrated Where the Wild Things Are, to critical acclaim.

Louise Halsey was born in 1949 in South Carolina. Her parents, artist William Halsey (1915-1999) and Corrie McCallum (1914-2009) met and befriended Sendak at Castle Hill in Ipswich, Massachusetts, where Halsey's father taught a summer art program. The Halsey family began exchanging letters with Sendak in the 1950s. Louise Halsey began sharing letters with Sendak when she was a young girl, and they continued to correspond well into her adulthood.

Sendak primarily lived in New York, and would write to the Halsey family in Charleston, South Carolina. In the 1950s and 1960s, Sendak often traveled to Europe and spent time writing and illustrating his books. Early letters mention these travels and inquire about Halsey's experience in school and summer vacation. In addition to letters, Halsey would send Sendak her paintings, and the author encouraged her artistic talents. Sendak's story Very Far Away has a dedication that reads: "For Louise Halsey, who has lots of time for everybody."

After graduating from Sarah Lawrence College in 1971, Halsey began pursuing a career as an artist. Her work is primarily in weaving, particularly tapestry. In 1978, Halsey married Stephen Driver and had two children, Alice Laurel Driver and Ian Halsey Driver. Halsey is a practicing artist and currently lives in Oark, Arkansas.