Andrey Norton

Andre Norton (1912–2005), born Alice Mary Norton in Cleveland, Ohio, was an acclaimed American author celebrated as the "Grand Dame of Science Fiction and Fantasy." Beginning her career as a librarian, she adopted the pen name Andre Norton in the 1930s and turned to full-time writing in the 1950s. Over a career spanning more than seven decades, she published over 130 novels that significantly shaped both science fiction and fantasy literature.

Norton's breakthrough came with "Star Man's Son, 2250 A.D." (1952), a pioneering post-apocalyptic science fiction novel. Her fantasy masterpiece, the "Witch World" series, launched in 1963, became one of the most enduring fictional universes in the genre. Other notable works include the "Solar Queen" space adventure series, "The Time Traders" (1958), "The Beast Master" (1959), and "Catseye" (1961).

In 1984, Norton became the first woman to receive the Grand Master Award from the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America. She also won the World Fantasy Award for Life Achievement. The annual Andre Norton Award, honoring outstanding young adult science fiction and fantasy books, commemorates her lasting influence on generations of readers and writers worldwide.