Elfrida Vipont facts for kids

Elfrida Vipont Brown (born July 3, 1902 – died March 14, 1992) was an English author who wrote many books for children. She was born in Manchester into a family of Quakers, a Christian group known for their peaceful beliefs. When she first started writing, she used a man's name, Charles Vipont. This was a common way for publishers to market books by women writers back then. Later, she wrote as Elfrida Vipont and sometimes as E. V. Foulds after she got married. Besides writing, she was also a schoolteacher and a very active Quaker.

Early Life and Education

Elfrida Brown was born in Manchester on July 3, 1902. She was the youngest of three children. Her father, Edward Vipont Brown, was a doctor, and her mother was Dorothy Brown.

She went to two schools: Manchester High School for Girls and The Mount School, York. These schools were quite similar to the fictional schools she wrote about in her book The Lark in the Morn. Elfrida first studied history at Manchester University. However, she soon realized her true passion was singing! So, she decided to study music with teachers in London, Paris, and Leipzig. She also worked as a writer and speaker.

In 1926, Elfrida married R. Percy Foulds, who was a research technologist. They had four daughters. She began her writing career while her daughters were still young.

During World War II, Elfrida became the headmistress of an Evacuation School. This school was set up by Quakers in places like Liverpool and Yealand Conyers, a small village in Lancashire. Children from cities that were being bombed were sent there to be safe. Three of Elfrida's own daughters attended this school.

Before the war ended, Elfrida Foulds had already published three books for children. After the war, she wrote many more books on different topics, including history, Quakerism, and music. She wrote almost two dozen novels, stories, and collections for children and young adults. Two of her most famous books are The Lark in the Morn and The Lark on the Wing. The Lark on the Wing even won the prestigious Carnegie Medal in 1951!

Service to Quakers

Elfrida Foulds was a dedicated member of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) her entire life. She was very involved in the Quaker community, serving on important committees for many years. For example, she was part of the executive committee of the London Yearly Meeting from 1939 to 1985. From 1969 to 1974, she was even the Clerk, which is like the main leader, of this committee.

She also helped with other Quaker groups, including those focused on education and history. She was a long-time member of the committee for Ackworth School, a Quaker school. Elfrida also helped organize the British Quakers' Yearly Meeting and worked on updating their Book of Discipline, which contains their rules and guidance. Even though she lived in Yealand Conyers for many years, she traveled all over the world for Quaker meetings and gave talks in schools and libraries.

A Life of Writing

Elfrida Foulds wrote serious books about Quakerism, sometimes using her married name, E. V. Foulds. Her very first published book, Quakerism: An International Way of Life, came out in 1930.

She sometimes used the pen name Charles Vipont to write adventure stories for boys. This was a common way for publishers like Oxford University Press to promote books by women writers. One of these books was The Heir of Craigs (1955). It's a historical novel set in Britain and North America in the late 1600s. The story follows Nigel Craig, a boy from a wealthy family, who goes on an adventure with his cousin. They join a group of brave Quakers, get shipwrecked in the New World, and face challenges from people already living there.

As "Elfrida Vipont," she wrote about two dozen books for children. These included short biographies of famous authors like Charlotte Brontë, George Eliot, and Jane Austen. Many of her books for younger children were published by Hamish Hamilton's special imprints, Gazelle Books and Reindeer Books.

Her most famous books are The Lark in the Morn (1948) and The Lark on the Wing (1950), both published by Oxford University Press. As mentioned, The Lark on the Wing won the Carnegie Medal. This award recognizes the best children's book by a British author each year. The "Lark" books are five family stories that follow the musical journey of a character named Kit Haverard. The other three books in this series are The Spring of the Year (1957), Flowering Spring (1960), and The Pavilion (1969).

Elfrida Foulds also worked with the famous illustrator Raymond Briggs on a picture book for young children called The Elephant and the Bad Baby. This book, published in 1969, is probably her most well-known work. It's found in more libraries around the world than any of her other books! The story is about a baby who refuses to say "please" and rides through town on an elephant, with townspeople chasing them. The Elephant and the Bad Baby is a "cumulative story," which means it builds up by repeating and adding new parts, giving it a fun, poetic feel.

Later Years and Legacy

Elfrida Foulds lived for many years in Yealand Conyers, Lancashire. She was very active in her local community. She continued to travel globally for Quaker committees and gave talks in schools and libraries. She passed away in 1992.

Elfrida Foulds' personal papers, including her writings and other documents, are kept at the John Rylands University Library of Manchester.