Catherine Christian

Catherine Christian (22 June 1901 – 12 November 1985) was an English novelist, known for her children's books and retellings of Arthurian legend. She is classified as having produced 45 works in 85 publications in two languages (English and French) and with 1,019 library holdings. She was also involved with the Girl Guide movement and published several books for girls in the "Ranger" series under the pen name of Patience Gilmour.

Early life Catherine Christian was born on 22 June 1901 in Chelsea, London, England, the daughter of a German father, Christian John Mühlenkamp, and an English mother, Catherine Harriett (née Ellett, born during World War I. There is no legal evidence for this name change and Mamie remained "Mulenkamp" in her school records, although later became known as Catherine Mary Christian. She is recorded as Catherine Mary Christian on her death certificate.

Mamie attended Croydon High School for girls between 25 September 1911 and 25 June 1920, initially at the site in Purley and then from September 1914 at the main school. In 1919 her school records show that she achieved Senior Oxford Class III with subjects English, History, Religious Knowledge, French, German, Mathematics and Botany.

After leaving school she returned to live at home.

Later life

Christian was a published author during the period 1930 to 1970. She edited The Guide journal from 1939 to 1945. She also made contributions to The Guider, a publication being produced at the same time and edited by her friend Margaret Tennyson. After the war, Christian moved The Seventh Magpie, illustrated by E. Spring-Smith, published by Blackie & Son. London, c1948 Sally and the Sixpenny Pig (Read every day library), illustrated by Constance Marshall, published by Blackie, 1960 A Stranger Passed, published by G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1961 Sidney Seeks Her Fortune, published by Peal Press, 1965 Sally Joins the Patrol, published by Peal Press, 1966 The Pendragon, published by Knopf, 1978 and MacMillan, 1981 (as The Sword and the Flame); Warner, 1984

As Patience Gilmour

Three’s a Company, 1935 The Seven Wild Swans: A Story for Rangers, published by Epworth Press, 1936 The Quest of the Wild Swans, 1941 The Cygnets Sail Out, 1943