Elinor Brent-Dyer facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Elinor Brent-Dyer
Born	Gladys Eleanor May Dyer (1894-04-06)6 April 1894 England
Died	20 September 1969(1969-09-20) (aged 75)
Occupation	Novelist
Period	1922–1969
Genre	Adventure, School stories

Elinor M. Brent-Dyer (born Gladys Eleanor May Dyer) was a famous English author. She wrote over 100 books for children during her lifetime. Her most well-known books are the exciting Chalet School series. Many young readers still love these stories today! She lived from April 6, 1894, to September 20, 1969.

Growing Up and Learning

Gladys Eleanor May Dyer was born in South Shields, England. This was on April 6, 1894. She was the only daughter of Charles Morris Brent Dyer and Eleanor Watson Rutherford. Her father left the family when she was just three years old. Her mother later remarried in 1913. Sadly, her younger brother, Henzell, died in 1912.

Elinor went to a private school in South Shields until 1912. After that, she trained to become a teacher. She studied at City of Leeds Training College. Elinor taught many different subjects in schools. She also led a Girl Guide group. In the 1920s, she even studied music for a short time. She learned from Edgar Bainton.

Her Writing Journey

Elinor Brent-Dyer's first book was Gerry Goes to School. It was published in 1922. This book started her La Rochelle series.

She got the idea for her popular Chalet School series while on holiday. She was visiting the Austrian Tyrol. The first book in this series was The School at the Chalet. It came out in 1923.

Elinor was raised as an Anglican. However, she became a Roman Catholic in 1930.

In 1933, Elinor and her mother moved to Hereford. Elinor worked there as a governess. This means she taught children in their home. In 1938, she opened her own school. It was called the Margaret Roper School. This school closed in 1948. After that, she spent all her time writing books.

Elinor's mother passed away in 1957. In 1964, her friend Phyllis Matthewman convinced her to move. Elinor had been living in a very large house. She moved in with Phyllis and her husband, Sydney. Sydney was Elinor's literary agent. They first lived together in Redhill, Surrey. Then, in 1965, they bought a house together. Elinor Brent-Dyer died in Redhill in 1969. Her very last book was published after she passed away.

The Chalet School Series

Here are the books in the famous Chalet School series, in reading order:

• The School at the Chalet
• Jo of the Chalet School
• The Princess of the Chalet School
• The Head-Girl of the Chalet School
• The Rivals of the Chalet School
• Eustacia Goes to the Chalet School
• The Chalet School and Jo
• The Chalet Girls in Camp
• The Exploits of the Chalet Girls
• The Chalet School and the Lintons
• The New House at the Chalet School
• Jo Returns to the Chalet School
• The New Chalet School
• The Chalet School in Exile
• The Chalet School Goes to It
• Highland Twins at the Chalet School
• Lavender Laughs in the Chalet School
• Gay From China at the Chalet School
• Jo to the Rescue
• Mystery at the Chalet School
• Tom Tackles the Chalet School
• The Chalet School and Rosalie
• Three Go to the Chalet School
• The Chalet School and the Island
• Peggy of the Chalet School
• Carola Storms the Chalet School
• The Wrong Chalet School
• Shocks for the Chalet School
• The Chalet School in the Oberland
• Bride Leads the Chalet School
• Changes for the Chalet School
• Joey Goes to the Oberland
• The Chalet School and Barbara
• The Chalet School Does it Again
• A Chalet Girl from Kenya
• Mary-Lou of the Chalet School
• A Genius at the Chalet School
• A Problem for the Chalet School
• The New Mistress at the Chalet School
• Excitements at the Chalet School
• The Coming of Age of the Chalet School
• The Chalet School and Richenda
• Trials for the Chalet School
• Theodora and the Chalet School
• Joey and Co. in Tirol
• Ruey Richardson – Chaletian
• A Leader in the Chalet School
• The Chalet School Wins the Trick
• A Future Chalet School Girl
• The Feud in the Chalet School
• The Chalet School Triplets
• The Chalet School Reunion
• Jane and the Chalet School
• Redheads at the Chalet School
• Adrienne and the Chalet School
• Summer Term at the Chalet School
• Challenge for the Chalet School
• Two Sams at the Chalet School
• Althea Joins the Chalet School
• Prefects of the Chalet School

The La Rochelle Series

Elinor Brent-Dyer also wrote the La Rochelle series:

• Gerry Goes to School
• A Head Girl's Difficulties
• The Maids of La Rochelle
• Seven Scamps
• Heather Leaves School
• Janie of La Rochelle
• Janie Steps In

The Chudleigh Hold Series

These adventure books are loosely connected:

• Chudleigh Hold
• The Condor Crags Adventure
• Top Secret
• Fardingales
• The Susannah Adventure

Other Books by Elinor Brent-Dyer

Here are some of her other works:

• A Thrilling Term at Janeways
• Caroline the Second
• The School by the River (1930)
• The New House-Mistress
• Judy the Guide
• The Feud in the Fifth Remove
• Carnation of the Upper Fourth
• They Both Liked Dogs
• The School by the River
• The Little Marie-Jose
• Elizabeth the Gallant
• The Little Missus
• Lorna at Wynyards
• Stepsisters for Lorna
• Kennelmaid Nan
• Nesta Steps Out
• Beechy of the Harbour School
• Leader in Spite of Herself
• The School at Skelton Hall
• Trouble at Skelton Hall
• Bess on Her Own in Canada
• A Quintette in Queensland
• Sharlie's Kenya Diary
• Verena Visits New Zealand
• Jean of Storms
• The Lost Staircase
• Monica Turns Up Trumps