John Bellairs was an acclaimed American author, best known for his contributions to the Gothic genre. He was born in Marshall, Michigan in 1938 and went on to attend Notre Dame University, where he earned his bachelor's degree. Bellairs continued his education at the University of Chicago, obtaining a master's degree in English.
Bellairs' writing career began in earnest in 1963, when he started combining teaching with writing. He spent a year at Shimer College, which coincided with the school's infamous "Grotesque Internecine Struggle." This tumultuous period at Shimer College would later inspire some of Bellairs' writing. In 1971, Bellairs made the decision to focus on writing full-time, leaving teaching behind.
Throughout his career, Bellairs gained a reputation for his unique and captivating storytelling. He is perhaps most well-known for his children's classic, "The House with a Clock in its Walls," which was published in 1973. Another notable work by Bellairs is the fantasy novel "The Face in the Frost," which was released in 1969. These works, along with many others, have cemented John Bellairs' place as a beloved and influential author in the Gothic genre.