Ian Serraillier
Ian Serraillier was an English author and educator, born on September 24, 1912, in London. He experienced a challenging childhood, losing his father at a young age and being raised by his mother, who battled health issues. Serraillier was academically gifted, earning a scholarship to Oxford University, where he studied classics and English literature. His career began as a schoolmaster, teaching at various institutions, including Wycliffe College and Midhurst Grammar School.
Serraillier dedicated his literary efforts to making classical works accessible and enjoyable for children. He adapted significant texts such as "Beowulf," the legends of Robin Hood and King Arthur, and various Shakespearean plays, simplifying their language while preserving their essence. His most notable work, "The Silver Sword," tells the poignant story of Polish children searching for their parents during World War II, capturing themes of resilience and hope amidst the horrors of war. Serraillier's contributions to children's literature were recognized with several awards, including The New York Times Best Illustrated Book Citation and a Carnegie Medal commendation. He passed away on November 28, 1994, leaving behind a legacy of engaging storytelling that resonates with young readers.
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Ian Serraillier
Writer
- Born: September 24, 1912
- Birthplace: London, England
- Died: November 28, 1994
- Place of death:
Biography
Ian Serraillier was born on September 24, 1912, in London, England. His father, Lucien Serraillier, died when Serraillier was seven years old, leaving his mother, Mary Rodger Serraillier, to raise him and his three younger siblings on her own and in poor health. His mother spent most of his childhood in Switzerland, where the mountain air helped her severe asthma. Serraillier and his brother attended Brighton College, a boarding preparatory school in Sussex, England. A gifted student, Serraillier received a scholarship to St. Edmund Hall, Oxford University. Serraillier studied the classics and English literature, receiving his master’s degree in 1935. In 1944, Serraillier married Anne Margaret Rogers, and the coupled had three daughters, Helen, Jane, and Christine Anne, and a son, Andrew.
Serraillier was a schoolmaster at Wycliffe College in Stonehouse, Gloucestershire, England, from 1936 until 1939, when he accepted a teaching position at Dudley Grammar School in Worcestershire. He left that school in 1946 and began teaching at Midhurst Grammar School in Sussex, where he remained until 1961.
Serraillier devoted his life to making classical works of poetry, plays, and ballads comprehensible to children. He accomplished this task by combining his rigorous background in the classics, Greek, and Latin with his love and talent for poetry. He rewrote works such Beowulf, the legends of Robin Hood and King Arthur, the Bible, and mythological tales into easy to read and delightful prose that maintained the essence of the original works and sparked the imagination of children while introducing them to classic literature.
An avid reader of William Shakespeare, Serraillier simplified many of Shakespeare’s plays in The Enchanted Island: Stories from Shakespeare. The collection was well received and highlighted the heroism, humor, and action of Shakespeare in a clear and lyrical prose. Serraillier makes Shakespeare accessible to a young audience by stressing the aspects of his plays to which children can relate while downplaying aspects that are less interesting; he focuses on the humor and comedy, while briefly touching on romantic themes. He also is able to simplify action scenes and political plots to make them more understandable to children.
Serraillier’s best-known work, however, is arguably an original novel based on actual events, The Silver Sword. The story follows a group of Polish children across Europe as they search for their parents during World War II. The children experience the brutality of the Nazi army and the devastation of war. They also witness true heroics and the power and perseverance of the human spirit. The novel was critically acclaimed and praised for its enduring characters, honest emotion, and tender prose.
Serraillier died on November 28, 1994. He received The New York Times Best Illustrated Book Citation in 1953 for Florina and the Wild Bird; the Carnegie Medal commendation, 1956; a Spring Book Festival Award, 1959; and Boys’ Club of America Junior Book Award in 1960 for The Silver Sword.