Andre Norton

Andre Norton Biography

Andre Alice Norton (born Alice Mary Norton; February 17, 1912 – March 17, 2005) was a pioneering American author of science fiction and fantasy who also wrote historical and contemporary fiction. Born in Cleveland, Ohio, she began writing in high school and studied briefly at Flora Stone Mather College before leaving due to the Depression. She worked for 18 years at the Cleveland Public Library and later at the Library of Congress before becoming a full‑time author in 1958.

In 1934, she legally adopted the by‑line Andre Norton (also writing as Andrew North and Allen Weston), aiming to appeal to a male readership. Her first novel, The Prince Commands (1934), began a prodigious career spanning more than 130 books, including her acclaimed Witch World series (launched in 1963), the Time Traders series, and numerous standalone works. Her imaginative storytelling shaped mid‑20th‑century speculative fiction.

Norton earned many honors: first woman Gandalf Grand Master (1977), first woman SFWA Grand Master (1983), and induction into the Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame (1997). She passed away in Tennessee in 2005, leaving an enduring legacy that expanded opportunities for women in genre fiction.

Trivia About Andre Norton

• She was the first woman to receive both the Gandalf Grand Master and SFWA Grand Master awards.
• Norton legally changed her name in 1934 to appeal to male readers.
• She co‑founded the Swordsmen & Sorcerers’ Guild of America (SAGA).
• She worked briefly at the Library of Congress during WWII.

Famous Quotes from Andre Norton

• "As for courage and will – we cannot measure how much of each lies within us…"
• "There’s no night without stars."
• "The past is a foreign country; they do things differently there."

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who was Andre Norton?

She was a trailblazing American science fiction and fantasy author, known for her prolific output and for expanding opportunities for women in genre writing.

What is Andre Norton best known for?

Her Witch World series is among her most influential works, along with the Time Traders series and many standalone novels.

Why did she use the name Andre Norton?

She chose a masculine name to avoid gender bias and appeal to male readers in a male‑dominated genre.

Critical Reception & Influence

Critics and fans praise Norton for her adventurous storytelling, strong female protagonists, and richly imagined worlds. Her style influenced generations of science fiction and fantasy authors, especially women.

Why This Author Still Matters

Norton broadened the field of speculative fiction and opened doors for female authors. Her enduring series, such as Witch World, remain popular and continue to inspire new writers and readers.

Related Literary Movements

Norton is central to mid‑20th‑century American science fiction and fantasy. Her work intersected with the emergence of women’s voices in genre fiction and the strengthening of speculative world‑building traditions.

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