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| Lloyd Alexander - Drexel Hill |
Lloyd Alexander was born in Philadelphia in 1924 and grew up in Drexel Hill, Delaware County. He graduated from Upper Darby High School at the age of 16 and went on to Haverford College.
Alexander believed that "adventure" not college was the best place to become educated, and decided to enlist in the Army during World War II. He received combat intelligence training in Maryland and in Wales before deployment to Germany at the later stages of the War.
After leaving the Army he attended the University of Paris where he met his wife and lifelong partner, Janine Denni.
Alexander became known for his writing of fantasy for children, which he called "the most creative and liberating experience” of his life. The book Time Cat (1963) was a fantasy inspired by one of his pet cats, Solomon. Solomon would visit the office while Alexander was working, but the author would never see him come or go.
Lloyd Alexander is best known for his 5 novel series, The Chronicle of Prydain (1965) which is based on Welsh mythology, inspired by the medieval castles, scenery and literature of Wales, a knowledge that he was exposed to during the War. The Disney animated film The Black Cauldron (1985) was based on the first two books.
Alexander received the Newbery Award in 1969 from the American Library Association for the last in the Prydain series, The High King, and the National Book Award for The Marvelous Misadventures of Sebastian
He is an honoree on Upper Darby High School's Wall of Fame.
