Biography of Richmal Crompton

Richmal Crompton's William is known even to those who have never read the tales of his anarchic exploits. For many, the scruffy, adventurous and exuberant William, Ginger, Henry and Douglas - not forgetting the awful Violet Elizabeth - remain an ever-remembered part of our childhood. But what do we know of his creator? According to Cadogan, so shy of fame was she that she was happy with the fact that, owing to her unusual Christian name, many people assumed she was a man. In this sympathetically written biography, Mary Cadogan provides a portrait of a witty and talented writer, and a celebration of her works. Cadogan is a specialist in the history of children's literature, and her biography of Angela Brazil, You're a Brick Angela!, had the same quirky appeal as this volume.

Mary Cagogan is a specialist in the history of children's literature. Her biography of Frank Richards: the chap behind the chums' (Viking,1988) was reissued by Swallowtail in 2001, and her selection of Enid Blyton stories, 'A Treasure of Enid Blyton School Stories' (with Norman Wright, Sept 02, Hodder) is about to be published. She lives in Bromley, Kent.