Author birthdays: March 11

What a day March 11 has been for welcoming into the world those writers whose talents would eventually wow the world.

Who was born today?

The late Douglas Adams, 1952-2001, author of the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy series as well as a Zen detective series. The British humorist began writing for BBC radio. He died of a heart attack at the age of 49.

Wanda Gag, 1893-1946, was primarily an illustrator and artist whose work enlivened children's books as well as hung in galleries. She was also the author of many a beloved children's book, most notably Millions of Cats and The ABC Bunny which were Newbery Honor books and Snow White and the Seven Dwarves and Nothing at All which were Caldecott Honor books.

Ezra Jack Keats, 1916-1983, wrote children's books and illustrated more than 85 of them. In 1963, he won a Caldecott Award for The Snowy Day. Every year a foundation in his honor gives out the Ezra Jack Keats Award to new writers and illustrators.

Christopher Rice, 1978-, born the child of author Anne Rice and poet Stan Rice, Christopher writes moody mysteries that delve into the gay subculture. When his mother slipped into a diabetic coma, he went to care for her and wrote his first novel at her bedside. He's also made a name for himself as a gay celebrity who has appeared on the cover of The Advocate.

posted by Book Help Web Editorial Team at 12:10 AM |