Andre Norton

Born Alice Mary Norton in Cleveland, Ohio, on February 17, 1912, she became one of the most prolific and widely read American writers in science fiction and fantasy. She published under the name Andre Norton, and sometimes used other pen names, including Andrew North. Her first novel appeared in the 1930s, and over the course of a long career she wrote for both younger readers and adults.

Her books often mix adventure, strange worlds, and a strong sense of discovery. She is especially associated with the Witch World series, but she also wrote historical and contemporary fiction. Norton earned major recognition in the field, including becoming the first woman to receive the Gandalf Grand Master Award and later being named a Grand Master by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America.

She died on March 17, 2005, in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Even now, her work is remembered for opening the door to fantasy and science fiction for countless readers, especially those who found in her stories a welcoming path into the genre.