Lloyd Alexander Biography

Writer of children's tales and two-time National Book Award winner. Alexander wrote 40 books including the famous five-part book series "The Chronicles of Prydain" published between 1964 and 1968. He grew up in the Great Depression and was urged by his father to become a banker. Enchanted by Greek mythology, Arthurian legends, and world politics, Alexander instead chose to write brooding tales of fantasy based on issues faced in real life. The evil sorcerers the protagonists of his books fight bear striking resemblances to actual oppressive political regimes.