Alice Cushing Donaldson Riley (1860 – 1955) was an American author and arts club founder. She is known for her children's poetry, stories, books, songs, and several one-act plays. She established art clubs and art centers in Illinois, including the Riley Circle, which led to the Drama Club of Evanston, she inspired the Drama League of America, was a charter club member of the Garden Club of Evanston, and co-founded the Evanston Arts Center. Her best known work was "Slumber Boat", a children's lullaby co-written with her dear friend Dorothy "Jessie" L. Gaynor. Biography Riley was born March 18, 1863, on a farm near Morrison, Illinois, in Whiteside County, and died in Pasadena, California, in 1953. She lived for a good portion of her life in Evanston, Illinois, from 1898 until 1931, where she raised her children and wrote children's lyrics, plays, operettas, and stories. Riley was raised by strict parents who did not encourage her or her sisters to dance or play cards at home. Instead they amused themselves with housework and games such as authors, dominoes, and jack-straws. However, music always filled her house, as her father played the cello and sang tenor in the church choir, while her sisters played the piano and sang. Even as a very young child she enjoyed the excitement of getting dressed up in a new outfit for a trip into the village square. At age 16 she saw her first play, Richard Wagner’s Tannhäuser, performed by Gilmore’s Band at the local opera house, which excited her enormously. Her interest in drama became well established and secured a lifelong interest in the arts. Along with a passion for drama, Riley developed a keen interest in gardening at a very young age. Her ailing grandfather lived with the Riley family from the time Riley was six years old until his death, and he demanded she tend the garden with him. Personal life Alice Cushing Donaldson married Harrison Riley April 3, 1889, and had two children, Donald and Dorothy. Alice and Harrison lived at 1822 Sheridan Road in Evanston, Illinois (now demolished), before retiring to Pasadena, California. Career Through the influence of her cousin Sara Collins, Riley moved to Chicago in 1885 to teach primary grade girls at the Park Institute finishing school. In her spare time she learned French and music at the school. At the end of her term at the school