George MacDonald (1824-1905) was born in Scotland and moved to London after studying science at Aberdeen University. He became a part of the literary scene of the times and wrote poetry and novels for adults, turning quite late in life to writing fiction for children, inspired by his large family. At the Back of the North Wind was published in 1871, a fantasy masterpiece which had first been serialized in a magazine. The two following years saw the publication of his other two much-loved novels for children, The Princess and the Goblin and The Princess and the Curdie.