Elizabeth Goudge

Elizabeth de Beauchamp Goudge was a highly respected British author, known for her children's books and novels. She was born in Wells, Somerset, in 1900, and spent her childhood in various locations throughout England, including Ely and Oxford. Goudge's father, the Reverend Henry Leighton Goudge, was a teacher and her mother, Miss Ida Collenette, was from the Channel Islands.

Goudge's writing career began in earnest in the 1930s, after she had spent several years working as a teacher. Her first book, "The Fairies' Baby and Other Stories" (1919), was not a success, but she persevered and eventually found success with "Island Magic" (1934), a novel based on Channel Island stories. Goudge's writing was characterized by her great empathy for people and her talent for finding the comic side of things. She went on to write many more novels, including "Green Dolphin Country" (1944), which was made into a film, and "The Little White Horse" (1946), which won the prestigious Carnegie Medal and has been cited as a major influence on J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series.

In addition to her novels, Goudge also wrote short stories, plays, and non-fiction works, including "A Diary of Prayer" (1966). She suffered from depression for much of her life, but continued to write prolifically and was widely admired for her work. Goudge lived in Devon with her mother for many years, and later moved to a cottage in Reading. She was a lover of dogs and was known for her kindness and generosity. Goudge passed away in 1984, but her work continues to be cherished by readers around the world.