Edith Nesbit (18581924) was born in London. Her prolific literary career began with poetry and other ephemera for newspapers and magazines, but she finally found success when she began to write stories for and about children. Her books include The Story of the Treasure Seekers(1899), The Wouldbegoods(1901), and The Railway Children(1906). Gillian Avery is a historian of childrens books.