About
P. L. Travers, born Helen Lyndon Goff in Australia, is best known for her children's book series Mary Poppins. After a childhood in Australia, she moved to London in 1924 to pursue a writing career. Her first novel, Mary Poppins, was published in 1934 and became a huge success, followed by several sequels. She resisted Walt Disney's offers for years before selling the film rights, leading to the famous 1964 film. Travers also studied the Gurdjieff system, worked for the British Ministry of Information during World War II, and taught at American universities. She was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire in 1977.
* 1899-08-09 — † 1996-04-23
Major works
- Mary Poppins (1934)children's novel
- Mary Poppins Comes Back (1935)children's novel
- Mary Poppins Opens the Door (1943)children's novel
- Mary Poppins in the Park (1952)children's novel
- Mary Poppins and the House Next Door (1988)children's novel
Key milestones
- 1934Publication of Mary Poppins, illustrated by Mary Shepard.
- 1964Release of Walt Disney's film Mary Poppins, which won five Oscars.
- 1977Appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE).
Themes
magic and everyday lifeeducation and childhoodtransformation and the marvelousorder and disorderimagination and creativity
Sources: production.english-heritage.org.uk · britannica.com · archival-classic.sl.nsw.gov.au