Olivia Coolidge facts for kids

Margaret Olivia Ensor Coolidge (born October 16, 1908 – died December 10, 2006) was a talented writer and teacher from Britain who later became an American citizen. She wrote 27 books, and many of them were for young people like you! Her stories often explored ancient myths and history, making these exciting topics easy to understand.

Discovering Olivia Coolidge: A Writer of Ancient Tales

Early Life and Education

Olivia Coolidge was born in London, England, on October 16, 1908. Her father, Sir Robert Ensor, was a journalist and historian. This means he wrote for newspapers and magazines, and he also studied and wrote about the past.

Olivia loved learning. She went to Somerville College, Oxford, a famous university in England. There, she studied Classics and Philosophy. Classics is the study of ancient Greek and Roman history, languages, and cultures. Philosophy is about big ideas and how we think about the world. She earned her first degree in 1931 and a Master's degree in 1940.

A Career in Writing

Before becoming a full-time writer, Olivia Coolidge taught Greek, Latin, and English. She taught in different countries, including Germany, England, and the United States. Her love for ancient history and stories clearly influenced her writing career.

She published her first book, The Greek Myths, in 1949. This book helped introduce many young readers to the exciting tales of ancient Greek gods and heroes. Over her career, she wrote 27 books! Many of these were for young adults, making history and myths fun and easy to read.

Famous Books and Stories

Olivia Coolidge was known for bringing ancient worlds to life. Some of her most popular books include:

• The Greek Myths (1949) – Her very first book.
• Legends of the North (1951) – Stories from Norse mythology.
• The Trojan War (1952) – The famous story of the war between the Greeks and Trojans.
• Lives of Famous Romans (1965) – Stories about important people from ancient Rome.

She also wrote books about important historical figures. These included biographies of famous people like Winston Churchill, a British leader, and Gandhi, a leader from India. She also wrote about American figures like Eugene O'Neill, a famous playwright, and Edith Wharton, a well-known writer.

Awards and Recognition

Olivia Coolidge's book, Men of Athens, was very special. It was a runner-up for the 1963 Newbery Medal. The Newbery Medal is one of the most important awards for children's literature in the United States. Being a runner-up means her book was considered one of the best of the year!

Personal Life

In 1946, Olivia married Archibald C. Coolidge. He was from Connecticut in the United States and had four children. Olivia Coolidge passed away on December 10, 2006, at the age of 98. Her books continue to inspire young readers to explore the rich stories of the past.