Flora : A Biography

by Elizabeth Gray Vining

Biography of Flora MacDonald

Unknown Binding

First published January 1, 1966

About the author

Elizabeth Gray Vining began her distinguished writing career with children's books because she said "they enjoy their books so much, read and re-read them—which is satisfying to a hard-working author." Later she began to write for adults as well, and they, too, read and re-read her books. among the most popular of these books are Windows for the Crown Prince, The Virginia Exiles, Friend of Life, Take Heed of Loving Me, and Flora.
—From the back of "Return To Japan"
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Elizabeth Janet Gray, also known as Elizabeth Gray Vining, was a prominent Quaker, known for having gone to Japan after World War II to tutor Emperor Akihito of Japan in English while he was the Crown Prince. She was a graduate of Bryn Mawr College, and a noted author of children's and adult literature. She won the Newbery Award for Adam of the Road, published in 1942.

Reviews

[CLM]

Flora MacDonald was born in 1722 and brought up on a farm in the mountainous, misty and windswept Scottish Hebrides, and was little more than 20 when she was called upon to play a singular role in history. After the brutal battle of Culloden, when Bonnie Prince Charlie was being hunted through the Highlands with a price of 30,000 pounds on his head, this young woman was asked to guide him to safety. She carried out this mission with such grace and style that she became a heroine still famous in Scotland today.

[Jane Irish Nelson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fascinating account of the life of Flora MacDonald, who became famous for helping Bonnie Prince Charlie escape from the English after the disastrous defeat at Culloden. But that was only a short episode in a long and eventful life, which included a move to the North Carolina colony and, eventually, a return to Skye. Very interesting, though at times it is very hard to keep all the MacDonalds straight!