Clare H Abrahall facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Clare Hoskyns-Abrahall
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Clare Hoskyns-Abrahall in 1950
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Clare Constance Maria Drury Hoskyns-Abrahall
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| Born | Clare Constance Maria Drury 31 January 1900 London, England |
| Died | 29 November 1990 (aged 90) England, UK |
| Pen name | C.H. Abrahall, Clare H. Abrahall, C.M. Drury |
| Occupation | Writer |
| Language | English language |
| Nationality | British |
Clare Hoskyns-Abrahall, born Clare Drury (January 31, 1900 – November 29, 1990), was a British writer. She was known for her books for children and young adults. She often used the names C.H. Abrahall or Clare H. Abrahall. Sometimes she wrote as C.M. Drury.
Clare wrote biographies and historical fiction. She also wrote school stories and plays for the stage. Her most famous book, Prelude, was about the pianist Eileen Joyce. This book was later made into a film called Wherever She Goes.
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About Clare Hoskyns-Abrahall
Clare Constance Maria Drury was born in London on January 31, 1900. Her parents were Gertrude Elizabeth and Lieutenant-Colonel Richard Frederick Drury. Her father was a civil engineer who served in the RAF during World War I.
Clare grew up in Wheathampstead, England. She went to St Helen's School and then studied at the Royal College of Music. During World War I, she helped out as a driver in the Women's Royal Air Force. Later, during World War II, she was a commandant in the British Red Cross.
In 1925, Clare married Theo Chandos Hoskyns-Abrahall. He worked in the Colonial Service in places like Nigeria. They had three children: Priscilla, Robin, and Follett. Clare and Theo later divorced in 1944. Clare Hoskyns-Abrahall passed away on November 29, 1990.
Clare's Books and Plays
Clare Hoskyns-Abrahall wrote many different kinds of stories. She loved telling tales that would interest young readers. Her works often combined adventure with real-life lessons.
Books for Young Readers
Clare wrote several popular books for children and young adults. These stories often featured exciting plots and relatable characters.
- Kit Norris: Schoolgirl Pilot, 1937: This book mixes a school friendship story with exciting flying adventures.
- From Serf to Page, 1939: Set during the Peasants' Revolt in 1381, it tells of a boy with divided loyalties.
- Priscilla's Caravan, 1939
- Chris of Crighton's, 1964: A story about a girl adjusting to a new school.
- Looking after wild birds, 1971: A helpful guide for young nature lovers.
Biographical Stories
Clare was very good at writing biographies. These books told the life stories of famous people in an imaginative way. She made history come alive for her readers.
Her most famous biography was Prelude, published in 1947. It was about the early life of the concert pianist Eileen Joyce. Clare met Eileen Joyce and became her friend. She even traveled with Joyce on concert tours. Prelude was very successful and was translated into many languages. It was also adapted into a film, Wherever She Goes, and later into stage and radio plays.
Other biographical books by Clare include:
- Boadicea, Queen of the Iceni, 1949: This book tells the story of the brave queen who fought for freedom.
- Finale, 1955: Written with Adelina de Lara, another famous musician.
- The young Marie Curie, 1961: About the famous scientist who discovered radium.
- The young Elizabeth Barrett Browning, 1962: The story of the well-known poet.
- The young Louis Braille, 1964: About the inventor of the reading system for the blind.
- The young John Bunyan, 1968: The life story of the writer of Pilgrim's Progress.
Plays for the Stage
Besides books, Clare Hoskyns-Abrahall also wrote plays. She was a member of theater clubs in London. Sometimes, she even helped produce her own plays.
- Palissy the Potter, 1940: A historical play found in a collection called Short plays from history.
- The Light Within: This play, co-written with Ross Mackenzie, tells the story of Elizabeth Fry, a social reformer.
- Pitchblende: Co-written with Justine Glover, this play was about the life of Marie Curie.
- Florence Nightingale: A play about the famous nurse.
- Butler in a Box, c.1963: A mystery play set in a Scottish castle with thunder, lightning, and a murder!
- Amateur Dramatics, 1963: A helpful guide for people who want to put on plays.
