Date of Birth: August 9, 1899
Zodiac Sign: Leo
Date of Death: April 23, 1996
Biography
P. L. Travers, born Helen Lyndon Goff, was an Australian-born British writer best known for her Mary Poppins series of children’s books, which have been adapted into numerous stage and screen productions. Born on August 9, 1899, in Maryborough, Queensland, Australia, Travers moved to England in the 1920s where she began her writing career. The character of Mary Poppins, a magical and whimsically strict nanny, first appeared in the 1934 book titled “Mary Poppins.” The book was an instant success and was followed by several sequels. Travers also worked as a journalist, actress, and even served during World War II in the British Ministry of Information. Her work on Mary Poppins caught the attention of Walt Disney, leading to the iconic 1964 film adaptation. Although Travers was famously critical of the Disney adaptation, the film brought her international fame and cemented her legacy in children’s literature. Travers continued to write and publish until her later years. She passed away on April 23, 1996, in London, England.
5 Interesting Facts about P. L. Travers
1. P. L. Travers adopted a son named Camillus Travers Hone in 1939.
2. She was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1977.
3. Travers worked as an adviser to the World War II British Ministry of Information.
4. She was highly protective of her creation, Mary Poppins, and had a say in every adaptation.
5. Travers had a lifelong interest in mythology and mysticism, which influenced her writing.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from P. L. Travers
1. “You can’t expect two stars to drop in the same field in one lifetime.”
2. “I don’t want to write for adults. I want to write for that interior place in all of us that the child still inhabits.”
3. “Everything’s got a moral, if only you can find it.”
4. “The magic point is the child’s imagination.”
5. “The world is full of magic things, patiently waiting for our senses to grow sharper.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
At her peak, P. L. Travers’ net worth was estimated to be around $2 million, largely due to the success of the Mary Poppins franchise.
Children
P. L. Travers adopted a boy named Camillus Travers Hone in 1939. She did not have any biological children.
Relevant Links
1. [Wikipedia: P. L. Travers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/P._L._Travers
2. [Biography.com: P. L. Travers](https://www.biography.com/writer/pl-travers
4. [IMDb: P. L. Travers](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0871377/
