Biographical Sketch

Madeleine L'Engle Camp was born on November 29, 1918, in New York City. Her father made his living as a writer. Her mother was an excellent piano player. Madeleine was given over to the care of a nanny and had a strict childhood. She ate with her parents only on Sunday noons and attended private schools.

In the spring of 1931, Madeleine and her parents moved to the French Alps. During World War I, Mr. Camp's lungs were badly damaged from mustard gas. It was hoped that the alpine air would benefit his lungs. In the fall, Madeleine was sent to a boarding school in Switzerland.

Madeleine and her parents returned to the United States in 1933 in order to care for ??? Camps' mother. Madeleine's grandmother lived in a Florida beach home. In the fall of 1933, Madeleine was sent to a boarding school in Charleston, SC. According to L'Engle, this was the first time she was happy in school. Madeleine's father died during the fall of Madeleine's senior year. He had pneumonia which was further complicated by his lung damage.

After high school, Madeleine attended Smith College in Northampton, MA. She graduated with honors in 1941. Upon graduation, she and three other friends rented an apartment in New York City. Madeleine split her time between writing and acting. She continued to act until 1947.

Through acting, she met Hugh Franklin who was a fellow actor. They married on January 26, 1946. They purchased an old farm house located near Goshen, CT. They named this home Crosswicks. Hugh and Madeleine split their time between Crosswicks and New York City. Hugh continued to act, while Madeleine wrote. In 1947, their daughter Josephine was born and in 1952 their son Bion. When Bion was born, Madeleine and Hugh moved to Crosswicks full-time. They purchased and ran a general store. In 1956, a close friend of Madeleine's died, leaving a seven-year-old girl parentless. The Franklins adopted Maria in 1957.

TO BE CONTINUED & DATES TO BE CONFIRMED

Year-Round Address

Madeleine L'Engle
c/o Farrar, Straus & Giroux
19 Union Square West
New York, NY 10003

Part-Time Address

Madeleine L'Engle
c/o Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine
1047 Amsterdam Ave.
New York, NY 10025