Winifred Cawley (24 January 1915 - 8 May 2001) was an English author of Children's literature.[1] Born to a family of humble circumstances in Felton, Northumberland, she won a scholarship to study English literature at the Newcastle University. She completed a Diploma of Education at University College London in 1937.[1] Her marriage to Arthur Clare Cawley cut short her post-graduate studies in Restoration drama; she pursued a teaching career in his work locations, including Leeds and Brisbane, Australia.[1] In Australia, she wrote her first novel, "Down The Long Stairs" (1964). It was followed by "Feast Of The Serpent" (1969), and then "Gran At Coalgate" (1974) which won the Guardian Award for Children's literature. Her last novel was the semi-autobiographical "Silver Everything And Many Mansions" (1976).[1][2]