Eleanor Farjeon

Born in London in 1881, she grew up in a literary family: her father was the novelist Benjamin Farjeon, and books, theater, and conversation were part of everyday life. She became a remarkably versatile writer, publishing children’s stories, poems, plays, biographies, and other works across a long career.

She is especially associated with children’s literature, and her collection The Little Bookroom won the Carnegie Medal. She also wrote the words to the hymn “Morning Has Broken,” which later became widely known through its musical settings and recordings. Her writing is often remembered for its gentleness, playfulness, and strong sense of wonder.

Farjeon died in 1965, but her influence continued after her lifetime. The Eleanor Farjeon Award, created in her memory, honors outstanding contributions to children’s books and storytelling.