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William Mayne

1928 – 2010

English writer of children's fiction

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About William Mayne

Lived 1928 – 2010 (aged 82). William Mayne was a British writer, novelist, author and children's writer.

William James Carter Mayne

Life Mayne was born in Hull, the son of a doctor. He was educated between 1937 and 1942 at the choir school attached to Canterbury Cathedral, with Who's Who adding "then irregularly". The school was evacuated during the Second World War from Kent to Cornwall. He left school aged seventeen, but the only part of his education he valued was the five years at the choir school, which were later the foundation for his four Choir School novels. and a five-part television series of Earthfasts was broadcast by the BBC in 1994.

After 1957, Mayne wrote mostly under his own name, but he also used the names Dynely James, Charles Molin, and Martin Cobalt.

The contemporary children's author Aidan Chambers calls Mayne "notoriously little read by children and much read by adults", essentially an observer and watcher.

Awards 1957 Carnegie Medal, A Grass Rope

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Important facts

Birth century
Nationality
Awards
Carnegie Medal; Guardian Children's Fiction Prize
Also known as
William James Carter Mayne

People in William Mayne's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped William Mayne's

Frequently asked questions

Who was William Mayne?

English writer of children's fiction (1928-2010)

When was William Mayne born?

William Mayne was born on 16 March 1928 in Kingston upon Hull.

When did William Mayne die?

William Mayne died on 24 March 2010 in Thornton Rust.

What was William Mayne's occupation?

William Mayne was a writer, novelist, author and children's writer.

What nationality was William Mayne?

William Mayne was British.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: William Mayne

· Wikidata: Q2579910

· DBpedia: William Mayne

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). William Mayne. https://biography.guide/william-mayne/

MLA: "William Mayne." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/william-mayne/.

Chicago: "William Mayne." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/william-mayne/.

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