Andre Norton

Born Alice Mary Norton in Cleveland, Ohio, on February 17, 1912, she became one of the most influential writers in modern fantasy and science fiction. She legally changed her name to Andre Alice Norton in 1934, a move often described as practical for publishing in a male-dominated field.

Over a long career, she wrote dozens of novels for both young readers and adults, including books set in the Witch World universe and many works published under the name Andrew North. Her stories are known for their sense of wonder, strong atmosphere, and gift for drawing readers into strange new places.

Her impact on the genre was widely recognized. She was named a Grand Master by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, and she was also among the early figures honored by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame. She died on March 17, 2005, in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, but her books remain a gateway into classic speculative fiction.