Marguerite de Angeli

Marguerite de Angeli was an American writer and illustrator of childrens books including the 1950 Newbery Award winning book The Door in the Wall. She wrote and illustrated twentyeight of her own books, and illustrated more than three dozen books and numerous magazine stories and articles for other authors.

She was born Marguerite Lofft in Lapeer, Michigan, one of six children. Her father, George Shadrach Lofft, was a photographer and illustrator her mother was Ruby Adele Tuttle Lofft. In 1902 her family moved to West Philadelphia, where she spent her most formative years. Marguerite entered high school in 1904, but a year later at age fifteen began to sing professionally as contralto in a Presbyterian choir fora week. She soon withdrew from high school for more musical training.

Source: Wikipedia