Born on January 18, 1884, in Leeds, England, Ransome spent much of his vacation time enjoying outdoor activities such as fishing, camping, and sailing. His world of exploration was the Lake Country which later influenced his writing and that of several other English writers. Ransome attended college, but it didn't suit him. He ventured to London to become an author and took on whatever jobs he could while he learned the trade and gained literary acclaim.
Ransome penned a book detailing the life of Oscar Wilde, but he found himself sued for libel. Though he won the lawsuit, Ransome felt tremendous stress in his married life because his wife had enjoyed the social events surrounding his misfortune. Leaving his wife and daughter behind, he traveled to Russia, and by becoming a reporter, he described the happenings during the Revolution in 1917. While in Russia, Ransome gained an appreciation of the country and its folklore. This encouraged him to revise and translate into English some of their fairy tales. Also, Ransome came to know, and then much later marry, his second wife, Evgenia. After World War I, Evgenia and Ransome moved to England and bought a farm in the Lake District. Instead of continuing as a reporter, Ransome penned a book called Swallows and Amazons, marking his career as a children's author. In 1936 he earned the Carnegie Medal for another book, Pigeon Post. With his imagination and creativity, Ransome has delighted children who enjoy the world of fantasy and exploration.
CSS
Did you find this review helpful?