P.L. Travers was born in 1899 in Maryborough in Queensland, Australia and was one of three sisters. She was brought up simply, but traditionally, with a cook upon whom much of the character of Mary Poppins is based. She began her writing career in Australia, publishing many poems, then came to England and wrote for newspapers in Ireland and England. She began Mary Poppins 'out of the blue', while lying ill in bed. It was published in 1934, was an immediate success and was followed by another five books.
