Crompton, Richmal (1890-1969), was a British author of children’s literature. She created the comic character of William, a mischievous 11-year-old boy whose vivid imagination and thirst for adventure are always getting him into trouble with the adult world. William continually comes into comical conflict with his parents and older brother and sister. Crompton originally created William for adults, but young readers enjoyed the character so much that William became popular in children’s literature. She based the stories on her brother and nephew.
Crompton wrote more than 40 books about the adventures of William and his friends, the “Outlaws.” She introduced the character in Just William (1922). Other books in the series include William—the Rebel (1933), William and the Moon Rocket (1954), and William and the Space Animal (1956). Crompton also wrote about 40 novels for adults as well as several short-story collections.
Richmal Crompton Lamburn was born on Nov. 15, 1890, in Bury, Lancashire, England. She was educated at Darley Dale, in Derbyshire, and at London University, graduating with honors in 1914. She was a teacher from 1914 to 1924. Crompton died on Jan. 11, 1969.
