Lesley Pratt Bannatyne is an American author who writes extensively on Halloween, especially its history, literature, and contemporary celebration. She contributed the World Book Encyclopedia entry for Halloween and appears as a commentator on the annual October screening of “Haunted History of Halloween” on the History Channel. Bannatyne is also a freelance journalist who’s covered stories ranging from druids in Somerville, Massachusetts to relief workers in Bolivia. She graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Wheaton College in Massachusetts with a bachelor’s degree in English.
Quoted as "A foremost authority on Halloween" by Charles F. Rosenay in his review of her latest book "Halloween Nation", Lesley has written five book on Halloween ranging from a children's book, Witches Night Before Halloween, to her latest book Halloween Nation which shows the holiday through the eyes of its celebrants.
[1] Pelican Publishing Company Author Bio
[2] The Halloweenist: interview of Lesley Bannatyne by Tamara Weider
[3][4] Lesley Bannatyne_journalism
[5] Guinness World Record
[6] Denver Post interview with Lesley Bannatyne by David Harsanyi
[7] Washington Post (Terry Sapienza) Halloween interview of Lesley Bannatyne