Dr P L Travers (1899 – 1996)

In 1933 she began writing her novel Mary Poppins, in which she signed the name P.L. Travers.

Travers had first published as a teenager, and later worked briefly as a professional Shakespearian actress. She found success with her Mary Poppins series, which was published beginning in 1934, and was followed by seven sequels, through 1988. Walt Disney's daughter's had loved the novels, and Disney spent 20 years convincing Travers to sell him the rights for a movie, which was a huge hit when it was released in 1964, although Travers did not approve of the film adaption for multiple reasons. She never married, but at the age of 40 adopted a son whom she named Camillus Travers Hone. Camillus was a twin, but Travers only wanted to take one of the boys, and Travers kept the secret from her son for 17 years until his twin brother tracked him down.

Travers died on April 23, 1996 at the age of 96.