Beverly Cleary

Cleary, Beverly (1916– ), U.S. author of humorous and realistic children's books. The character Henry Huggins was introduced in Cleary's first book (1950). Ramona Quimby first appeared as a major character in Beezus and Ramona (1955). These popular youngsters, who live in a middle-class suburb of Portland, Ore., appeared in many books. In 1975, Cleary received the Laura Ingalls Wilder Award for her contributions to children's literature. Dear Mr. Henshaw (1883) won the 1984 Newbery Medal. A Girl from Yamhill (1988) is her autobiography.