Alexander, Lloyd

Lloyd Alexander (1924-2007) was a children's book author from Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania.

Lloyd Chudley Alexander was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on January 30, 1924. He spent his childhood in the nearby suburb of Drexel Hill and lived there most of his life. Alexander graduated from Upper Darby High School in 1940. His parents would not allow him to be a writer, so he worked for a local bank in Philadelphia. Once he had saved some money, he quit and went to a local college before quitting after one semester. Looking for adventure, he served in the US Army in World War II, which included spending time in Wales to train. The landscape, language, and castles made a great impression and would later become the setting of so many of his books. He served in the army for a time in Paris, before being discharged to attend the University of Paris. At the same time, he met Janine, a beautiful Parisian, whom he married in 1946. Alexander moved back to Drexel Hill with Janine and her daughter Madeline.

Alexander worked as an advertisement writer, layout artist, cartoonist, and assistant editor while he tried to get his novels published. It took seven years before his first book was published. He spent the following ten years writing for adults before turning to young adult novels. He won the Newbery Honor Medal for The Black Cauldron and the Newbery Medal for The High King . Series and books by Alexander include the Prydain Chronicles, the Westmark Trilogy, the Vesper Holly Adventures, and over twenty other young adult novels, five adult novels, and four French translations. Alexander's other hobbies include music, cats, and drawing. He played the violin and was a devoted fan of Mozart. Alexander died May 17, 2007--just two weeks after Janine died.

From the guide to the Lloyd Alexander papers, 1924-2007, (L. Tom Perry Special Collections)