During his prolific career John Ruskin wrote many more works for adults than those especially for young people. He is, however, well known in the field of children's literature because of his literary fairy tale The King of the Golden River; or, The Black Brothers: A Legend of Stiria (1851). Ruskin was interested in the education of children, particularly young girls, and he wrote works for their instruction and essays and letters on the proper method and aim of education. His essay about fairy tales and review of other children's stories promoted their importance, as did his friendship with and employment of the children's illustrator Kate Greenaway. Ruskin's universally acclaimed position as an art critic and moralist meant that his works were frequently given to children for their instruction, and his influence on the editors and authors who shaped their lives is incalculable.

John Ruskin was born in London...