Newton Booth Tarkington (1869-1946) was one of Indiana’s most accomplished and celebrated authors, both as a novelist and a playwright. A two-time Pulitzer Prize winner for fiction, he is recognized along with Meredith Nicholson, George Ade and James Whitcomb Riley as helping to create a Golden Age of literature in Indiana in the first quarter of the 20th century.
James Whitcomb Riley remained a lifelong friend, influence and inspiration to Tarkington. He was a frequent guest on Sundays at Tarkington’s boyhood home (1100 N. Pennsylvania St., Indianapolis), where Riley wrote several of his works on the south porch, including “Katie’s Wish,” “Flying Islands of the Night” and “Boss Girl.” “Boss Girl” developed into the story of “Little Orphant Annie.”
Tarkington, named for his maternal uncle Newton Booth, former governor of California, was one of 21 incorporators for the James Whitcomb Riley Memorial Association. In that role, he spoke to why it was important for people to give financial support to help build the hospital. In 1922, he wrote: “The Riley Memorial Hospital for Children gives us that chance, and whosoever gives to it gives thrice: to himself, to the children, and to the memory of James Whitcomb Riley.”
Tarkington was a prolific novelist and playwright. The Booth Tarkington Civic Theatre in Carmel, Indiana, is named in his honor. His boyhood home and the entire 1000 block of North Pennsylvania was razed to make way for construction of the I-69/I-70 split in the early 1970s. Tarkington later lived at 4720 N. Meridian St. in Indianapolis, where his home is now recognized with a historical marker. The Penrod Arts Fair, held annually in early September, is named for one of Tarkington’s most beloved literary characters.
--Compiled by the Riley Hospital Historic Preservation Committee
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