Theodore Taylor
Born in 1919
theodoretaylor.com
Theodore Taylor was an American author best known for his young adult novel The Cay.
He wrote the book in just three weeks in 1969, dedicating it to Martin Luther King Jr. The story was inspired by a true incident from World War II involving a Dutch ship attacked near Curaçao.
Taylor drew on his experiences as a sailor to create vivid maritime scenes.
He was surprised to learn the book became popular among blind readers when printed in Braille, as it features one of the first blind protagonists in children's literature.
Taylor wrote a prequel/sequel to The Cay called Timothy of the Cay.
His works often explored themes of survival, friendship, and overcoming prejudice.
