Sheila Stuart

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Sheila Stuart (Gladys May Baker, 1892–1974) was a Scottish writer. She was best known for her children's books, especially among schoolgirls.[1]

Early life[edit]

Stuart's father was a Church of Scotland minister: she was born and brought up in a manse in Johnstone, Renfrewshire. She went to school in Glasgow, then entered Leng and Co of Dundee (later incorporated into D. C. Thomson & Co. Ltd), where she trained as a journalist. During the First World War she served as a VAD.

Stuart began her career as a journalist, writing for Scottish Field and The People's Friend, although she also wrote books on antiques during this period.

Children's writer[edit]

Stuart is best known for her children's books about Alison and her brother Niall, based in the north-west of Scotland. The publication of every new book in the series caused great excitement "among schoolgirl borrowers", because of their tales of "courage, determination and adventure".[2]

Death[edit]

Sheila Stuart died in 1974 in Crieff, Perthshire, where she had moved on her husband's retirement.

Works[edit]

  • Alison's Highland Holiday (1946)
  • More Adventures of Alison (1947)
  • Alison's Christmas Adventure (1948)
  • Well Done Alison! (1949)
  • Alison's Easter Adventure (1950)
  • Alison's Poaching Adventure (1951)
  • Alison's Kidnapping Adventure (1952)
  • Alison's Pony Adventure (1953)
  • Alison's Island Adventure (1954)
  • Alison's Spy Adventure (1955)
  • Alison and the Witch's Cave (1956)
  • Alison's Yacht Adventure (1957)
  • Alison's Riding Adventure (1958)
  • Alison's Cliff Adventure (1959)
  • Alison's Caravan Adventure (1960)
  • The Riddle of Corran Lodge (1959)

References[edit]

  1. ^ Anne Commire (1977). Something About the Author: Facts and Pictures About Contemporary Authors and Illustrators of Books for Young People. Gale / Cengage Learning. p. 27. ISBN 978-0-8103-0072-9.
  2. ^ Philip, p. 145.

Sources[edit]

  • Philip, A. The Librarian and the Bookworld, J. Clarke, pp. 43–44, 1954–1955