Arthur Ransome

Arthur Michell Ransome was born on January 18, 1884, in Leeds, England. He was the eldest of four children, with two sisters named Joyce and Cecily, and a brother named Geoffrey who tragically lost his life in the First World War in 1918. Ransome's father was a history professor at Yorkshire College, and his untimely death in 1897 had a profound impact on the young Ransome.

Ransome was educated at Rugby school and went on to become an English journalist and author. In 1917, he found himself in Russia, where he witnessed the Revolution, which he reported for the Manchester Guardian. After narrowly escaping to Scandinavia, Ransome settled in the Lake District with his Russian wife. It was in 1929 that he wrote "Swallows and Amazons," marking the beginning of a successful writing career that produced some of the most cherished children's books of all time.

Ransome's work gained significant recognition in 1936 when he was awarded the first-ever Carnegie Medal for his book "Pigeon Post." He passed away in 1967 and is buried alongside his wife, Evgenia, in the churchyard of St Paul's Church in Rusland, in the southern Lake District. Ransome's writing continues to be celebrated for its timeless charm and enduring appeal, leaving a lasting legacy in the world of children's literature.