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Alexander, Lloyd

 Person

Dates

  • Existence: 1924 - 2007

Biography

Lloyd Alexander (1924-2007) was a children's book author from Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania.

Lloyd Chudley Alexander was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on January 30, 1924. He spent his childhood in the nearby suburb of Drexel Hill and lived there most of his life. Alexander graduated from Upper Darby High School in 1940. His parents would not allow him to be a writer, so he worked for a local bank in Philadelphia. Once he had saved some money, he quit and went to a local college before quitting after one semester. He later served in the United States Army in World War II, which included spending time in Wales to train. The landscape, language, and castles would later become the setting of so many of his books. He served in the army for a time in Paris, before being discharged to attend the University of Paris. At the same time, he met Janine Denni, whom he married in 1946. Alexander moved back to Drexel Hill with Janine and her daughter Madeline.

Alexander worked as an advertisement writer, layout artist, cartoonist, and assistant editor while he tried to get his novels published. It took seven years before his first book was published. He spent the following ten years writing for adults before turning to young adult novels. He won the Newbery Honor Medal for "The Black Cauldron" and the Newbery Medal for "The High King." Series and books by Alexander include the "Prydain Chronicles," the "Westmark Trilogy," the "Vesper Holly Adventures," and over twenty other young adult novels, five adult novels, and four French translations. Alexander played the violin and was a devoted fan of Mozart. Alexander died May 17, 2007, in Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania, two weeks after Janine's passing.

Citation:
Wikipedia, via WWW, March 4, 2015 (Lloyd Alexander; spent his childhood in the nearby suburb of Drexel Hill and lived there most of his life; graduated from Upper Darby High School in 1940; worked for a local bank in Philadelphia; quit and went to a local college before quitting after one semester; served in the US Army in World War II, which included spending time in Wales to train; landscape, language, and castles made a great impression and would later become the setting of his books; served in the army for a time in Paris, before being discharged to attend the University of Paris; met Janine, whom he married in 1946; moved back to Drexel Hill with Janine and her daughter Madeline; worked as an advertisement writer, layout artist, cartoonist, and assistant editor while he tried to get his novels published; took seven years before his first book was published; spent the following ten years writing for adults before turning to young adult novels; won the Newbery Honor Medal for The Black Cauldron and the Newbery Medal for The High King; Series and books by Alexander include the Prydain Chronicles, the Westmark Trilogy, the Vesper Holly Adventures, and over twenty other young adult novels, five adult novels, and four French translations; was a devoted fan of Mozart; died May 17, 2007, two weeks after Janine's passing).

found: His Sartre, J. P. The wall, c1948.

found: Washington post WWW site, May 18, 2007 (Lloyd Alexander; b. Lloyd Chudley Alexander, Jan. 30, 1924, Philadelphia; d. May 17, [2007] Drexel Hill, Pa., aged 83; critically acclaimed fantasy and adventure writer whose coming-of-age novels use vivid action and elements of mythology to depict contemporary struggles between good and evil)

found: Time cat, 1984:t.p. (Luyid Aliksandar = لويدالكساندر)

found: Info. converted from 678, 2012-10-27(b. 1924)

Found in 15 Collections and/or Records:

Lloyd Alexander papers

 Collection — Oversize-folder 66: [Barcode: 31197231016533]
Identifier: MSS 6833
Scope and Contents Collection includes a variety of materials that were removed from Lloyd Alexander's office, most of which relate to his career as a children's book author. Materials include correspondence from accordion folders, publishers, personal/fan mail, awards received, book manuscripts received, and Alexander related manuscripts; interviews and speeches on cassette tapes and typewritten documents; Disney movie materials, including media (video games, tapes, etc.), memorabilia, papers, and...
Dates: 1924-2007

Lloyd Alexander art supplies, undated

 Sub-Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 6833 Series 6 Sub-Series 2
Scope and Contents note

Items that Alexander used to create illustrations and other artwork. These include a feather quill, brushes and pens, colored pencils, and ink bottles.

Dates: Other: undated

Lloyd Alexander artifacts, 1930-2007

 Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 6833 Series 6
Scope and Contents

Series is composed of furniture, awards, artwork, and other small artifacts that Lloyd Alexander kept in his office, and on and around his desk.

Dates: Other: 1930-2007

Lloyd Alexander artwork, 1969-1990

 Sub-Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 6833 Series 6 Sub-Series 7
Scope and Contents note

This subseries includes artwork from Alexander's office. These include cover art for book covers, a portrait of Alexander, and other art.

Dates: Other: 1969-1990

Lloyd Alexander cover art for Prydain series, 1964-1968

 Sub-Series — Oversize 67: Series 6 [Barcode: 31197230355346], Folder: 1-5
Identifier: MSS 6833 Series 6 Sub-Series 7 Sub-Series 1
Scope and Contents note

The subseries includes original cover artwork for the five Prydain books.

Dates: Other: 1964-1968

Lloyd Alexander facsimiles, 2010

 Sub-Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 6833 Series 6 Sub-Series 7 Sub-Series 2
Scope and Contents note

The facsimiles were made for use in the Lloyd Alexander exhibit.

Dates: Other: 2010

Lloyd Alexander furniture, undated

 Sub-Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 6833 Series 6 Sub-Series 5
Scope and Contents note

Subseries includes the furniture that was located in Lloyd Alexander's home office in Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania. This includes several different sizes of tables, chairs, bookcases, shelves, fans, lamps, and other small furniture.

Dates: Other: undated

Lloyd Alexander interviews and speeches, 1978-1996

 Series — Carton 52: Series 2 [Barcode: 31197230355445]
Identifier: MSS 6833 Series 2
Scope and Contents note

Series contains a number of speeches, articles and interviews conducted with and given by Lloyd Alexander. Most of the scripts are concerning different aspects of literature and books, and includes research materials and different drafts. Materials include typewritten documents, audio recordings in 7" magnetic tape reels and audio cassettes, and VHS video tapes.

Dates: Other: 1978-1996

Lloyd Alexander literary representations, undated

 Sub-Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 6833 Series 6 Sub-Series 3
Scope and Contents note

Includes a number of small figures and representations of characters that were given to Alexander from friends and fans. These include a pig banner, several donkeys, characters from the Prydain Chronicles, and other small tokens. There are also several souvenirs from countries used as settings for his books, including Africa and India.

Dates: Other: undated

Lloyd Alexander magazines, 1973-2006

 Sub-Series — Carton 7: Series 5 [Barcode: 31197230354836]
Identifier: MSS 6833 Series 5 Sub-Series 1
Scope and Contents note This subseries includes children's literature and fantasy themed magazines, including Cricket, Children's Literature Association Quarterly, The New Advocate, Cicada, and many others. Some of the magazines feature writing by Lloyd Alexander, some of which are anonymous articles, while other magazines are about children's literature and include biographies or...
Dates: Other: 1973-2006

Filtered By

  • Subject: Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences X

Additional filters:

Type
Archival Object 13
Collection 2
 
Subject
Archives 14
Children's literature, American -- History and criticism 14
Sculpture 2
Art 1
Artists' materials 1