Alexander, Lloyd (1924-2007), was an American author known for his fantasy novels for young readers. During World War II (1939-1945), Alexander was stationed in Wales while serving in the United States Army and became fascinated with the Welsh language and culture. Wales inspired Alexander’s best-known work, five fantasy adventure novels called the “Prydain Chronicles.” All the novels follow the adventures of a young hero named Taran in a land resembling Wales. The Prydain novels are The Book of Three (1964), The Black Cauldron (1965), The Castle of Llyr (1966), Taran Wanderer (1967), and The High King (1968). The last novel won the 1969 Newbery Medal as the best children’s book of the year.
Alexander wrote two other series for young readers. The “Westmark Trilogy” describes political intrigue in an imaginary land called Westmark. The trilogy consists of Westmark (1981), The Kestrel (1982), and The Beggar Queen (1984). Alexander also wrote a series about Vesper Holly, a spirited American girl in the 1870’s, beginning with The Illyrian Adventure (1986). A fantasy adventure novel called The Golden Dream of Carlo Chuchio was published in 2007, after Alexander’s death.
Lloyd Chudley Alexander was born on Jan. 30, 1924, in Philadelphia. He also wrote adult novels and other works for children and translated French literature into English. Alexander died on May 17, 2007.
