Margery Williams Bianco

Born in London on July 22, 1881, she moved with her family to the United States as a child and later lived in Pennsylvania. She began writing early and went on to publish novels, poetry, and children's books under the name Margery Williams Bianco.

Her most famous book, The Velveteen Rabbit (1922), became a classic of children's literature. Its gentle story and memorable idea that love can make something "real" helped it endure far beyond its original era.

She continued writing for both children and adults throughout her life. She died in 1944, but her best-loved work remains a lasting part of childhood reading.