Clare Hoskyns-Abrahall facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Clare Hoskyns-Abrahall
Clare Hoskyns-Abrahall in 1950
Native name	Clare Constance Maria Drury Hoskyns-Abrahall
Born	Clare Constance Maria Drury (1900-01-31)31 January 1900 London, England
Died	29 November 1990(1990-11-29) (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 January 31, 1900 – died November 29, 1990) was a British writer. She used different names for her books, like C.H. Abrahall or Clare H. Abrahall. She wrote many kinds of stories, including biographies and historical fiction for young people. She also wrote school stories and plays. She is best known for her book Prelude. This book was about the famous pianist Eileen Joyce. It was even made into a movie called Wherever She Goes.

Discover Clare Hoskyns-Abrahall's Life

Clare Constance Maria Drury was born in London on January 31, 1900. Her father, Richard Frederick Drury, was an engineer. He served in the RAF during World War I.

Clare went to St Helen's School and the Royal College of Music. During World War I, she worked as a driver. She was part of the parachute section of the Women's Royal Air Force. Later, during World War II, she was a leader in the British Red Cross.

In 1925, she married Theo Chandos Hoskyns-Abrahall. He worked in the Colonial Service, mostly in Nigeria. They had three children: Priscilla, Robin, and Follett. Clare Hoskyns-Abrahall passed away on November 29, 1990.

Explore Her Writing and Plays

Clare Hoskyns-Abrahall wrote many books and plays. She often wrote for children and young adults. Her stories covered different topics, from school life to history.

Books for Young Readers

Clare wrote exciting stories for young people. These books often combined adventure with important life lessons.

• Kit Norris: Schoolgirl Pilot, 1937 ~ This book mixes a school friendship story with flying adventures.
• From Serf to Page, 1939 ~ Set during the Peasants' Revolt in 1381, it tells of a boy's divided loyalties.
• Priscilla's Caravan, 1939
• Chris of Crighton's, 1964 ~ This story is about a girl adjusting to a new school.
• Looking after wild birds, 1971 ~ A guide on caring for wild birds.

Inspiring Biographies for Kids

Clare Hoskyns-Abrahall also wrote biographies. These books told the life stories of famous people. She made these stories interesting for young readers by adding imaginative parts.

Her most famous book was Prelude. It was about the concert pianist Eileen Joyce. Clare met Eileen around 1945 and became her friend. She even traveled with Eileen on concert tours. Prelude was very popular and was translated into several languages. It was also made into a film called Wherever She Goes.

Here are some of her biographical books:

• Prelude, 1947 ~ An imaginative story about the early life of Eileen Joyce.
• Boadicea, Queen of the Iceni, 1949 ~ This book shows Boadicea as a hero who fought for freedom.
• Finale, with Adelina de Lara, 1955
• The young Marie Curie, 1961 ~ The story of the famous scientist Marie Curie.
• The young Elizabeth Barrett Browning, 1962 ~ About the well-known poet.
• The young Louis Braille, 1964 ~ The life story of the inventor of Braille.
• The young John Bunyan, 1968 ~ About the writer of The Pilgrim's Progress.

Plays for the Stage

Clare Hoskyns-Abrahall also wrote plays. She was sometimes involved in putting them on stage too.

• Palissy the Potter in Short plays from history, 1940
• The Light Within, with Ross Mackenzie ~ This play tells the story of Elizabeth Fry.
• Pitchblende, with Justine Glover ~ A play about the life of Marie Curie.
• Florence Nightingale ~ A play about the famous nurse.
• Butler in a Box, c1963 ~ A mystery play set in a Scottish castle.
• Amateur Dramatics, 1963 ~ This book gives advice on how to produce plays.