Literary Landmark: Walter Farley Wing - Venice Area Public Library
Venice, Fla.
Dedicated: 1989
Partners: Friends of the Venice Public Library
Walter Farley was born on June 26th, 1915 in Syracuse, New York. He grew up with a love for horses, although he never owned one. His family eventually moved to New York City where the option of owning a horse was out of the question.
Farley’s love for horses and incredible writing ability birthed one of the most successful and adored children’s literature series: The Black Stallion Series. The series began with the first novel, The Black Stallion, published in 1941, when young “Alec Ramsey” found himself shipwrecked on a deserted island with a wild horse. Farley’s first Black Stallion novel was published at the young age of 26. He would go on to author 34 books in his lifetime.
Walter Farley was also involved in his community. Farley and his wife Rosemary helped found the Friends of the Venice Public Library in 1962. In January 1989, The Friends of the Venice Public Library designated the library a Literary Landmark in honor of Walter Farley for his contribution to its founding and children’s literature worldwide.
Walter Farley died in October of 1989, shortly before the publication of the 21st book of the Black Stallion series.
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