Kenneth Grahame

Kenneth Grahame (8 March 1859 – 6 July 1932) was a Scottish-born author, best known for his children's book The Wind in the Willows (1908). He also wrote a number of other works, including poetry, essays, and short stories.

Grahame was born in Edinburgh, Scotland. His father was a lawyer, and his mother was the daughter of a landowner. Grahame had three siblings: two sisters and a brother.

Grahame's father died when he was five years old, and his mother moved the family to England. Grahame attended school in Oxford, where he studied classics. After graduating from Oxford, Grahame worked as a bank clerk for the next 30 years.

In 1899, Grahame married Elspeth Thomson. They had one child, a son named Alastair. Alastair was born blind in one eye, and he had a number of other health problems. He died by suicide in 1920, when he was just 20 years old.

Grahame's health began to decline in the 1920s, and he retired from his job at the bank in 1929. He and his wife moved to Pangbourne, Berkshire, where he died in 1932.

Grahame is best known for his children's book The Wind in the Willows. The book is a collection of stories about four animal friends: Mole, Rat, Toad, and Badger. The stories are set in the English countryside, and they explore themes of friendship, adventure, and home.

The Wind in the Willows was published in 1908, and it was an instant success. The book has been translated into more than 60 languages, and it has been adapted into a number of films, television shows, and stage plays.

Grahame also wrote a number of other works, including:

• Poetry: Grahame published two volumes of poetry: Pagan Papers (1893) and The Golden Age (1895).
• Essays: Grahame published two volumes of essays: Dream Days (1898) and The Old Wives' Tale (1920).
• Short stories: Grahame wrote a number of short stories, which were collected in volumes such as The Headless Horseman (1901) and The Willows and Other Stories (1907).

Grahame's work is characterized by its wit, charm, and insight into the human condition. His books continue to be enjoyed by readers of all ages, and he is considered one of the most important and beloved children's authors of all time.