Gothic novelist John Bellairs is the author of several popular series of books for young adults. Bellairs penned three different series, each featuring a recurring protagonist - Lewis Barnavelt, Anthony Monday or Johnny Dixon. Bellairs earned advanced degrees and taught college-level English. He wrote three adult works before achieving widespread popularity with his first young adult book, The House with a Clock in its Walls in 1973.
Brad Strickland
After his unexpected death in 1991, Bellairs' estate arranged to have Brad Strickland complete four books Bellairs had already laid out. Strickland continues the series today, publishing books featuring Bellairs' characters under his own name.
John Bellairs Personal Timeline
January 17, 1938: John Bellairs born
1959: Graduated Marshall High School, Marshall, MI
1959: Appeared on The General Electric College Bowl, Barnard College at University of Notre Dame
1959: Appeared on The General Electric College Bowl, University of Notre Dame at Georgetown University
1959: Graduated Magna cum Laude, A.B., from the University of Notre Dame
1960: Graduated, M.A. (English), University of Chicago, Illinois
1968: Marries Priscilla Braids
1969: Son Frank J. is born in Boston, MA
1970: The Bellairs family moves to Haverhill, MA
1984: John and Priscilla Bellairs divorce
March 8, 1991: John Bellairs dies of cardiovascular disease
References
Fast Facts
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Full name
John Anthony Bellairs
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Born
January 17, 1938
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Birthplace
Marshall, MI
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Fact:
Published three adult books before writing his first young adult novel.
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Fact:
Achieved fame with The House with a Clock in its Walls, published in 1973.
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Fact:
Published 15 young adult novels before his death
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Died
March 8, 1991, Haverhill, MA, aged 53 of cardiovascular disease
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Fact:
The covers of several of Bellairs' books were illustrated by Edward Gorey
