Madeleine L'Engle

Madeleine L’Engle was born on November 29, 1918, in New York City. Raised in a creative household—her father was a writer and her mother a pianist—she developed an early love for literature. Despite a shy nature and struggles in traditional schooling, she found solace in books and writing. She later graduated from Smith College in 1941, where she studied English and continued writing plays and stories. Her early literary career included time working in the theater and publishing her first novel, The Small Rain, in 1945.

L’Engle is best known for her 1962 novel A Wrinkle in Time, which became a groundbreaking work of science fiction and young adult literature. Initially rejected by numerous publishers for being too unconventional, the novel was eventually accepted and went on to win the Newbery Medal in 1963. Combining themes of science, faith, love, and individuality, A Wrinkle in Time introduced readers to Meg Murry, Charles Wallace, and the mysterious Mrs. Whatsit, Who, and Which—characters who would appear in several sequels, forming the Time Quintet series.

Her work often blended science fiction and fantasy with theological and philosophical themes. In addition to the Time Quintet, L’Engle wrote several other series, including the Austin family books and the Crosswicks Journals, which offered autobiographical reflections on family life, writing, and spirituality. Her writing style was known for its lyrical prose, intellectual depth, and willingness to ask big questions about good and evil, identity, and the nature of the universe.

Throughout her career, L’Engle received numerous awards and honors, including the National Humanities Medal in 1998. She also served as writer-in-residence at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City, where she led writing workshops and spiritual discussions. Her Christian faith was central to her worldview, though she embraced doubt and complexity in her work, appealing to readers across religious and secular backgrounds alike.

Madeleine L’Engle passed away on September 6, 2007, at the age of 88. Her legacy endures through her more than 60 published works, which continue to inspire readers of all ages to think deeply, dream boldly, and embrace both the mysteries of science and the wonders of faith. Her belief that children’s literature could be as profound as adult fiction reshaped the genre and cemented her place as one of the most influential authors of the 20th century.