Anna Sewell was born on March 30, 1820 in Great Yarmouth, England to Quaker parents. She had a younger brother, Philip. She was mostly home schooled but attended school from the age of 12 to 14. At 14, she broke both ankles in a fall and was disabled for the rest of her life; she couldn’t walk far or stand for long periods of time; she depended on horse carriages to get around. She never married and lived with her parents her entire life.

Anna Sewell wrote just one book. Black Beauty was published in late 1877.  It remains one of the most popular and enduring of children’s books. The life story of this horse is a true classic in children’s literature and it has been made adapted into numerous television series’ and movies. She wrote the book while she was bed-ridden, dictating it to her mother.

Anna Sewell died on April 25, 1878.

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