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First you need to know that the poem was originally entitled, "The Elf Child" when it was written by Riley in 1885. Also, the poem originally read - "Little Orphan ALLIE has come to our house to stay." A typesetter misread Riley's handwriting and the "Allie" was changed to "Annie." When Riley found out he wanted it changed back; however, he was told that the edition was selling well - so the typo was left. The Little Orphan Allie that Riley was writing about was a real person. Her name was Mary Alice (Allie for short) Smith. She came to live in the Riley home in approximately November 1861. Her mother had died, and she was sent to live with her father's mother in who lived in Hancock County, Indiana. Her father eventually remarried, but it seems that there was very little interaction between the two. Eventually, her grandmother became too ill to care for her, and Mary Alice was sent to live with an Uncle John Rittenhouse (who I believe is her mother's brother). The Rittenhouses had a large family and were very poor. John Rittenhouse was preparing to enter into the Civil War, and Reuben Riley, the poet's father, had just returned from a three month stint, but was planning on re-enlisting (which he did). John Rittenhouse wanted to find a place for Mary Alice to live because he could not afford another mouth to feed; Reuben Riley wanted to find some help for his wife who had small children in addition to the two older boys - James who was 12 and John who was about 15. A bargain was made. Mary Alice would come to live at the Riley home where the family who provide her a place to live and food to eat. In exchange, Mary Alice would do chores around the house to help out Elizabeth Riley. Mary Alice was 11 years old - but the Riley family was told that she was 14. According to most accounts, Mary Alice stayed less than a year with the Riley family. However, since she was close in age to James, and she had the habit of telling fantastic stories, which James liked - - she was forever embedded in his mind. At the time that Riley wrote the poem, he was working as the "poet in residence" for the Indianapolis Journal - a newspaper. This poem became one of his most famous of all time - - and is usually the one that most people know or remember of Riley's work - even today. Riley and Mary Alice never say each other again - - but they did reconnect when they were both older. Riley started to look for Mary Alice - not knowing what had happened to her after she left their home. Mary Alice married a local farmer, John Wesley Gray, and lived the rest of her life in western Hancock County - just a few miles down the National Road from Greenfield (where Riley grew up). Riley put ads in newspapers, looking for Mary Alice and finally a friend recognized the story of Mary Alice and let her know that Riley was looking for her. She wrote a letter to Riley identifying herself and her location, and Riley's nephew was sent out to meet her. This was in 1915. Riley had suffered one stroke and was unable to make the trip. Sadly, he passed away in July 1916 - so Mary Alice and Riley never did meet face to face again. If you would like to see the full account of Mary Alice's arrival at the Riley home - - read Riley's prose poem, "Where is Mary Alice Smith?" You can visit the James Whitcomb Riley Boyhood home in Greenfield today. You can see the cubby hole and press that "Annie" talks about in the poem. It is worth a visit.

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Q: Why did James Whitcomb Riley write Little Orphan Annie?
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Is the movie Annie fact or fiction?

It is fiction. However, the origins of the story are from the poem "Little Orphant Annie" by James Whitcomb Riley who based the character of Annie on Mary Alice "Allie" Smith - an orphan who lived in his home during his childhood.


When did orphan Annie die?

She died March 7, 1924. Her real name was Mary Alice (Allie") Smith Gray. She is buried in the Philadelphia, Indiana Cemetery. She was the inspiration for the poem, Little Orphant Annie - by James Whitcomb Riley.


Raggedy Ann's name was created by combining what two poems?

The Raggedy MAN ( a king of the road type happy-go-lucky bum,) and LIttle Orphan Annie- later to have her own comic strip. Both poems by James Whitcomb Riley.


Where does Little orphan Annie live?

If you are referring to the little girl who was the inspiration for James Whitcomb Riley's poem the "Little Orphan Annie" published in 1885, her name is Mary Alice Smith Gray. Allie, as she was known to her friend Bud (James Whitcomb Riley) is known as "The Original Little Orphan Annie" s because she was the inspiration for his poem turned Broadway show turned movie; but, the story is a very loose representation of her actual life as an "orphan." Although Gray was purported to be an orphan, she was not actually an "orphan" living a Hard Knock Life in an orphanage but instead was raised by family in PA as a result of her parents marital discord and her mother's untimely death. She is interred in Philadelphia Cemetery in Sugar Creek Township with a commemorative marker, in addition to her headstone, identifying her as the original Little Orphan Annie. If you are referring to Aileen Quinn, the actress who portrayed Little Orphan Annie, then that's a different story... Although the film version of "Annie" is set to take place during the Great Depression of the 1920's, it was actually created until much, much later and was originally released in 1982. The actress who portrays Annie in the film is Aileen Quinn. As of this writing, Quinn, who was born June 28, 1971, is 40 years old, alive and well living in New Jersey where she's an adjunct theater professor at Monmouth University). She is still an active American actress & singer as well. Hopefully, if this is who you were referring to, she isn't buried anywhere yet! :) :)


What was orphan Annie's last name?

Aileen Quinn. in the musical it is Annie bennette In the James Whitcomb Riley poem, she was originally called "Little Orphant Allie" - as in the short form for "Alice." However, in a later printing of the poem, a typesetter misread the handwriting and changed the "Allie" to "Annie." Riley at first complained, but his publisher stated that the edition was selling well - so the name remained "Annie." Riley's "Annie" - actually "Allie - was a real person. Her real name was Mary Alice Smith. She was born in Union County, Indiana in 1850. She was an orphan girl who lived at his home during the Civil War. She did chores in exchange for her board and keep. You can visit the James Whitcomb Riley Home in Greenfield, IN and see where Allie slept, and the cubby hole, and press that is mentioned in the Riley poem.


What year did the musical Annie open on Broadway?

Some years back. it was adapted into a Movie. the comic strip is still extant. Little Orphan Annie, inspired by a poem by James Whitcomb Riley, in the early l900"s is arguably the longest-running comic strip of all times. the lead character has never aged.


When was James Whitcomb born?

James Whitcomb was born on 1795-12-01.


When did James Whitcomb die?

James Whitcomb died on 1852-10-04.


What is the birth name of Adam Whitcomb?

Adam Whitcomb's birth name is Adam James Whitcomb.


What is James Whitcomb Riley's birthday?

James Whitcomb Riley was born on October 7, 1849.


What nicknames did James Whitcomb Riley go by?

James Whitcomb Riley went by The Hoosier Poet.


When was James Whitcomb Riley born?

James Whitcomb Riley was born on October 7, 1849.