Jennie Ellis Keysor

Jennie Ellis Keysor (1860–1945) was an American pioneer in adult education. She was the author of children's books on American literature and art topics. In Omaha, Nebraska, Keysor served on the Board of Lady Managers for the Trans-Mississippi Exposition. She led the Art Department of Omaha's Woman's Club.

Early life and education Jennie Ellis was born on March 1, 1860, in Austin, Minnesota. Jennie's siblings were Gertrude, Mattie, Kit, Charles, and Sidney.

She was a high-school graduate of 1878. Immediately, Keysor began teaching in a district school, riding nearly on horseback daily and using the long ride in the study of English literature. She was graduated from the Winona Normal School in 1879. she completed in Wellesley College her course in English literature, history and Anglo-Saxon.

Keysor wrote more than 40 art texts and reading books for the public schools. Keysor was a member of the Omaha Woman's Club, and led its Art Department, which had a membership of nearly 100 in 1898. In this department, Keysor gave a series of stereopticon lectures on art and architecture.

Death Jennie Ellis Keysor died in Kirkwood, Missouri, May 16, 1945. She was survived by a son, Harold C. Keysor.

Selected works Sketches of American Authors, vol. 2, 1895 (text) Great Artists, Vol. 1: Raphael, Rubens, Murillo, and Durer, 1899 (text); Vol. 2, 1903; Vol. 3, 1899; Vol. 4, 1901 Story of Great Musicians Introduction and explanatory notes to Sesame and lilies; two lectures on books and reading, by John Ruskin, 1906 (text)