Edwin Osgood Grover  Professor of Books . . . publisher . . . poet  . . . family man Although Edwin Osgood Grover was born in Minnesota on June 4th, 1870, his family relocated to New England shortly after his birth. His father, a Congregational minister, accepted a position as a pastor there. He graduated from St. Johnsbury Academy in Vermont and later attended Dartmouth College, graduating in 1894. Grover seemed destined to be involved in books in one manner or another. He started his career working for Ginn & Company of Boston, publishers of children's readers, primers and text books. He then moved on the Rand McNally in Chicago . . . until he started his own enterprise, the Prang Company. Then, in 1926, he was summoned to Rollins College by then college president, Hamilton Holt. Holt himself had only arrived in Winter Park in 1925, but he decided early on to create the position of "Professor of Books" . . . and he offered this appointment to Edwin Osgood Grover.  Grover taught numerous courses in reading and literature. Throughout the years, Grover held many positions at Rollins. In 1927, President Holt created The Animated Magazine, a magazine that featured the contributors presenting their pieces - live and in person.  Grover was at Holt's side, serving as the publisher for this new venture. The concept was quite popular, as each year throngs of people would come "see and hear" the magazine. Grover retired from Rollins College after 21 years of service.  He went on to start his own publishing company, The Angel Alley Press. The company was best known for publishing books of poetry, including collections of poems written by Rollins' students. Though retired, Grover continued to work for the good of the entire Winter Park community.  He was active in his church, and, with his wife, Mertie, created a day nursery for busy working mothers.  After his wife's untimely death in 1936, he requested that in lieu of flowers, gifts of money be given for the creation of the Hannibal Square Library, which was officially named Hannibal Square Public Library-Mertie Graham Grover Memorial. It opened on July 1, 1937. Both he and his wife strove to improve the lives of the residents of Winter Park's West Side, the historical home of the African-American community. Grover was also instrumental in acquiring the land for the creation of Mead Gardens. Grover's family consisted of his wife, Mertie, and his children: daughters Frances and Hester, and one son, Graham. Mertie Graham Grover was struck by an automobile in 1936 and died a few days later from the injuries sustained in that accident. His son, Graham was killed in a train accident on Minnesota Avenue in 1940. His sister, Eulalie Osgood Grover, was the beloved author of the children's books, The Sunbonnet Babies series and the Overall Boys series. Edwin Osgood Grover died on November 8th, 1965 at the age of 95.   Item: Photograph Source: The Tomokan: The Rollins College Yearbook Section: Academic Life: A study of the Conference Plan Caption: "Conference Plan establishes a close and friendly relation between professor and student" - Dr. Grover Date: 1938   Item: Poem Title: Lyric Florida Author: Edwin Osgood Grover Publisher: The Angel Alley Press, Winter Park Date: c.1930 Item: Book Title: My Little Book of Stevenson Editor: Edwin Osgood Grover Publisher: P. F. Volland Company, Chicago Date: 1924 Item: Photograph Source: The Tomokan: The Rollins College Yearbook Section: Here at Rollins: The Rollins Plan in word and picture Caption: "A class in books with Dr. Edwin O. Grover" Date: 1937 Item: Book Title: Just Being Happy: A Little Books of Happy Thoughts Editor: Edwin Osgood Grover Publisher: The Algonquin Publishing Company, New York Date: 1913   Item: Booklet Title: Four Creeds: Statements of Belief Author: Edwin Osgood Grover Publisher: The Angel Alley Press, Winter Park Date: c.1930   Item: Photograph Source: The Tomokan: The Rollins College Yearbook Section: Organizations: Concerning the activities of the students at Rollins Caption: "The Publications Union Means Business" (Dr. Grover is seated at the table, the second from the right) Date: 1937   Item: Booklet of poems Title: Dinna Forget: A bit of Scotch Author: Edwin Osgood Grover Publisher: unknown Date: unknown     Item: Letter Envelope reads: West Side Friends: Letter of appreciation on the 94th birthday of Edwin O. Grover Date: June 1964 Signatures on the letter: Pearl T. Reed, principal Hannibal Elementary School Mildred L. Wilkerson, Librarian Francis W. Daniely, Secretary Barbara J. Woodard Edythe B. Gates Mary K. Hall Ruby L. Adams Bettye Chapman Roberta J. Bailey Ruby M. Ball Katie Wright Letha Daugherty Clarence O. Wilkerson   Item: Newspaper photograph Source: The Winter Park Herald Date: February 19, 1937 Item: Booklet of poems Title: Down East and Up Along Author: Edwin Osgood Grover Publisher: The Angel Alley Press, Winter Park Date: c.1930 Item: Newspaper article Source: The Orlando Evening Star, Winter Park edition Title: "Mead Botanical Gardens Founder Slates 92d Birthday Celebration" Reporter: Virginia Loog Date: May 30, 1962 Item: Photograph of one-time Grover home at 567 Osceola Avenue Source: The Junior League Magazine Section: Real Estate Date: December 1989