Margery Sharp facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Margery Sharp
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Photo portrait by Bill Brandt, 1945
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| Born | Clara Margery Melita Sharp 25 January 1905 Salisbury, Wiltshire, England |
| Died | 14 March 1991 (aged 86) Aldeburgh, Suffolk, England |
| Education | Bedford College, University of London, England |
| Spouse | Major Geoffrey Castle |
Clara Margery Melita Sharp (born January 25, 1905 – died March 14, 1991) was an English writer. She wrote many books for both adults and children.
She is most famous for her series of books called The Rescuers. These stories are about two brave mice named Bernard and Miss Bianca. Disney later turned these books into two popular animated movies: The Rescuers and The Rescuers Down Under.
Contents
Margery Sharp's Life
Margery Sharp was born in Salisbury, England. She spent some of her childhood in Malta. This island later inspired one of her novels, The Sun in Scorpio.
She returned to Britain in 1914 and went to Streatham High School. She studied French at Bedford College in London. She also spent a year studying art. While at university, she was part of a debating team. Her team was the first British women's team to compete in the United States!
Becoming a Writer
Margery Sharp started writing stories for Punch magazine when she was 21. She also wrote for many other magazines in America and Britain. Her first novel, Rhododendron Pie, was published in 1930. It took her only one month to write!
In 1938, she married Major Geoffrey Castle, who was an aeronautical engineer. During World War II, she worked as an Army Education Lecturer for three years. During this time, she wrote the novel Cluny Brown. She also worked on Britannia Mews, which described the bombing of London during the war.
Books on the Big Screen
Many of Margery Sharp's books were made into movies. In 1940, her novel The Nutmeg Tree became a play on Broadway. Later, in 1948, it was made into the Hollywood film Julia Misbehaves.
Another popular novel, Cluny Brown, became a Hollywood film in 1946. It starred Jennifer Jones, who had won an Academy Award. The movie The Forbidden Street (1949) was based on her book Britannia Mews. Also, the 1963 film The Notorious Landlady was based on her short story "The Notorious Tenant."
The Rescuers Series
In 1959, Margery Sharp published The Rescuers. Even though she wrote it for adults, children loved it! She continued the series with eight more books. These books were illustrated by famous artists like Garth Williams and Erik Blegvad. Garth Williams also illustrated other classic children's books like Charlotte's Web.
In 1977, Disney released the animated movie The Rescuers. It was very successful and popular. A sequel, The Rescuers Down Under, came out in 1990.
Margery Sharp passed away on March 14, 1991, in Aldeburgh, England.
Margery Sharp's Books
Novels for Adults
Margery Sharp wrote many novels for adults. Some of her well-known adult books include:
- Rhododendron Pie (1930)
- The Nutmeg Tree (1937) – made into the film Julia Misbehaves
- Cluny Brown (1944) – made into a movie of the same name
- Britannia Mews (1946) – made into the film The Forbidden Street
- The Eye of Love (1957)
Children's Novels
She also wrote several books specifically for children:
- Melisande (1960)
- Lost at the Fair (1965)
- The Magical Cockatoo (1974)
- The Children Next Door (1974)
The Rescuers Series
This is her most famous series, featuring the brave mice Bernard and Miss Bianca:
- The Rescuers (1959)
- Miss Bianca (1962)
- The Turret (1963)
- Miss Bianca in the Salt Mines (1966)
- Miss Bianca in the Orient (1970)
- Miss Bianca in the Antarctic (1971)
- Miss Bianca and the Bridesmaid (1972)
- Bernard the Brave (1977)
- Bernard into Battle (1978)
Other Works
- "The Notorious Tenant" (1956) – a short story that inspired the movie The Notorious Landlady.
A Quote from Margery Sharp
"I absolutely believe it is fatal ever to write below your best, even if what you write may never be published."
Images for kids
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Photo portrait by Bill Brandt, 1945
See also
In Spanish: Margery Sharp para niños
