Elizabeth george speare author biography john

American novelist (1908–1994)

Elizabeth George Speare (November 21, 1908 – November 15, 1994) was an American writer of children's historical fiction, including two Newbery Medal winners, recognizing the year's "most distinguished contribution to American literature for children".^[1] In 1989 she received the Children's Literature Legacy Award for her contributions to American children's literature^[2] and one of the Educational Paperback Association's top 100 authors.^[3]

Life

Speare was born in Melrose, Massachusetts to Harry Allan and Demetria (Simmons) George.

Her childhood, as she later recalled, was "exceptionally happy" and Melrose was "an ideal place in which to have grown up, close to fields and woods where we hiked and picnicked, and near to Boston where we frequently had family treats of theaters and concerts."^[3]

She had an extended family with one brother and many aunts, uncles, and cousins, and mos