Enid Bagnold

Enid Bagnold (October 27, 1889 – March 31, 1981) was a British author, playwright, and diarist who created 'National Velvet,' one of the most beloved children's novels of the 20th century. Born into an upper-class British family, Bagnold developed literary ambitions early and began publishing short stories and novels in her youth. Her masterpiece, 'National Velvet' (1935), tells the story of Velvet Brown, a young girl who trains a horse to compete in the Grand National steeplechase. The novel became an international sensation and was adapted into a highly successful 1944 film starring a young Elizabeth Taylor, who became an icon through her portrayal of Velvet. Beyond this iconic work, Bagnold wrote numerous novels, including 'The Chalk Garden,' which became a successful stage play in 1956, and 'The Squire,' exploring family dynamics and relationships. Her writing was characterized by keen observation of human nature, particularly childhood and adolescence, combined with her deep knowledge of horses and rural English life. Bagnold lived a long and productive life, continuing to write into her later years and maintaining relationships with the literary and theatrical circles of her time. Her works remain in print and continue to enchant new generations of readers, while 'National Velvet' maintains its status as a timeless classic of children's and young adult literature.