Madeleine L'Engle

Madeleine L'Engle (1918–2007) was an acclaimed American author, best known for her groundbreaking works of science fiction, fantasy, and children's literature. Born in New York City, L'Engle's early life was marked by the challenges of growing up in a family that frequently moved, as well as the personal struggles of dealing with grief and identity. Despite these challenges, she cultivated a lifelong love of literature, art, and science, passions that would heavily influence her writing.

L'Engle’s most famous work is A Wrinkle in Time (1962), a novel that blends science fiction with Christian themes, creating a unique genre known as speculative fiction. The book follows Meg Murry, her brother Charles Wallace, and their friend Calvin as they journey through time and space to rescue Meg's father from an evil force known as IT. The novel was groundbreaking for its exploration of science, philosophy, and theology in a way that was accessible to young readers. A Wrinkle in Time received the Newbery Medal and is considered a classic of children's literature.

Throughout her career, L'Engle wrote numerous books for both children and adults, including A Wind in the Door, Many Waters, and The Arm of the Starfish. She often explored themes of faith, love, and the intersection of science and spirituality in her writing, challenging readers to think deeply about the world around them.

L'Engle was also a respected speaker, teacher, and advocate for the role of faith in the arts. She spent many years at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York, where she served as writer-in-residence. Her legacy endures as a writer who encouraged readers to embrace their curiosity, explore the mysteries of the universe, and seek deeper understanding of God, love, and the human experience.