author
Letitia MacColl Elton
1865–1947
A Scottish writer for younger readers, she turned history and adventure into lively, approachable stories. Her books ranged from Icelandic history to the life of Sir Francis Drake, showing a clear gift for making the past feel readable and exciting.
1 Audiobook
The Story of Sir Francis Drake
by Letitia MacColl Elton
About the author
Born in Glasgow in 1865, Letitia MacColl Elton was a Scottish children's writer. She is also listed as Letitia Maynard MacColl Elton, and her work appeared under forms such as Letitia MacColl Elton and Mrs. Oliver Elton.
Her books include The Story of Iceland and The Story of Sir Francis Drake, both examples of the historical writing she produced for younger audiences. Library and catalog records also show that she later wrote Locks, Bolts, and Bars: Stories of Prisoners in the French Wars, 1759–1814, suggesting a lasting interest in bringing real historical episodes to general readers.
She was married to the literary scholar Oliver Elton, and their family included the ecologist Charles Sutherland Elton. While biographical details about her life are not widely documented online, the surviving records point to a writer who helped open up history for children through clear, narrative storytelling.