Some Facts
Disliked the 1964 Disney film Mary Poppins (1964), as she felt it made the title character, whom she had created in her books, too sweet.
Had a lifelong fascination with folklore and mysticism. In 1976, she became consulting editor for the New York-based journal 'Parabola', dedicated to empirical research in this field.
Acted in her native Australia from the age of 10. Toured nationally - while still in her teens - with a Shakespearean company. Later also performed as a dancer and wrote poetry, using the adopted name Pamela Travers. Left for England in 1924 with a mere 5 pounds to her credit. Continued to write poetry, and, later, literary and theatrical review for several weekly publications, including 'The Irish Statesman' and the 'The New English'.
She was awarded an OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) in the 1977 Queen's Honours List for her contribution to literature.
Born to an Irish-born sugar planter and a Scottish-Irish mother, she grew up in tropical Queensland on her father's plantation, the eldest of three daughters.