Corcoran, Barbara (Barbara Ann)

Barbara Corcoran, who has also written under the pseudonyms Paige Dixon and Gail Hamilton, is the author of over 70 children's books and young adult novels which include historical, mystery, and wildlife novels, but she is know for novels which deal with emotional and physical problems of young people. She is the recipient of the Samuel French Award (original play, 1955), Child Study Assn. Children's Book of the year (1970), William Allen White Children's Book Award (1972), the Pacific Northwest Book Sellers' Award (1975), and the Merriam Award (1991). Seven of her novels have been Junior Literary Guild selections.

Barbara Corcoran was born in Hamilton, Massachusetts in 1911. She graduated from Wellesley College and received her M.A. from the University of Montana. During her career she worked at a variety of jobs including her work as a writer of books for children and young adults. Her work spanned many genre including mystery, romance, wildlife, but her focus was often on the coming of age of children who faced a series of difficult adventures. She also wrote under the pseudonyms Paige Dixon and Gail Hamilton.Biographical source: Something About the Author, Volume 77, p. 38-42.