Lloyd Alexander – American writer
Lloyd Alexander was a U.S. children’s author. He is probably best known for his Prydain novels. This five-book series follows a young hero named Taran from the lowly status of assistant pig keeper to the throne of the kingdom of Prydain.
He is an author of more than 40 books.
Lloyd Chudley Alexander was born on January 30, 1924, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. As a child, he enjoyed fairy tales and mythology. As a child he was fond of books by Shakespeare, Dickens, Mark Twain and tales, especially he was impressed by King Arthur’s knights.
At the age of 15 he decided to become a writer. In 1940, a young man graduated from high school and the next year he was mobilized into the army. During the war, Alexander visited Wales, many Welsh folklore motifs Lloyd later used in his books.
After the war, Lloyd entered the University of Paris, where he met Janine Denni and married her in 1946. Newlyweds settled in Philadelphia, where their daughter Madeleine was born.
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