Dhan Gopal Mukerji

Dhan Gopal Mukerji Biography

Dhan Gopal Mukerji was a noted author of children’s books and his most popular book is Gay Neck: The Story of a Pigeon. He wrote numerous books and stories for children related to folklore stories and animals. His autobiography "Caste and Outcast" is internationally well acclaimed and he is considered to be the first Asian Indian writer of significance in US.  He describes his childhood in the first half of his autobiography – Caste. He is also the winner of Newbery Medal 1928 from American Library Association. He got this award for "Gay Neck: The Story of a Pigeon” written in 1927. He completed his higher studies in many foreign universities.

He was born in 1890 near Kajangal jungle of Kolkata. His father was a lawyer who later gave up his profession due to ill health. Though he was born in the higher class Brahmin family, he was disturbed by the traditional strict outlook of his society and later he moved to Kolkata for higher studies. Later he got interested in Bengal resistance, a cultural reformation that took part in Bengal since late 1800s. His brother Jadugopal Mukherjee was a leading cultural figure of this change and he came into contact with a few friends of his brother who had similar principles. My Brother's Face – is a memoir written by him for his brother.

A person of rare talent and broad appeal, he published two dozen published volumes of poetry, drama, fiction, social commentary, philosophy, translations, and children's stories. He played a pivot role in transmitting Indian culture to outer world through his works. He committed suicide in New York in 1936 at the age of 46.  

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Updated: July 21, 2014