Born Helen Lyndon Goff on August 9, 1899, in Maryborough, Australia, P.L. Travers had a tumultuous childhood. Her father was a bank manager who struggled with alcoholism and her mother, Travers Goff, died of influenza when she was just seven years old. Despite these hardships, Travers developed a love for reading and writing at a young age.
Travers attended various schools in Queensland and Sydney before moving to England in 1924. It was in England that she adopted the pen name P.L. Travers, using her initials and her father's name. Travers began writing articles and poetry for magazines, but it wasn't until the 1930s that she found success as a novelist.
In 1934, P.L. Travers introduced the world to the beloved character of Mary Poppins. The whimsical nanny with magical powers quickly captured the hearts of readers young and old. Travers went on to write seven more books in the Mary Poppins series, each filled with fantastical adventures and moral lessons.
In addition to her writing, P.L. Travers was also a talented actress. She began performing in local theater productions as a teenager and later toured with a Shakespearean performance troupe. Travers' love for the stage never waned, and she continued to act in both amateur and professional productions throughout her life.
Despite the success of the Mary Poppins books, P.L. Travers was deeply unhappy with Disney's film adaptation of her work. She clashed with Walt Disney himself over creative differences, particularly in regard to the portrayal of Mary Poppins. Travers felt that the character had been softened and Disney-fied, leading to her refusal to allow a sequel to be made.
In 1940, P.L. Travers adopted a son from Ireland, whom she named Camillus Hone. Her decision to become a single mother was unconventional for the time, but she embraced motherhood wholeheartedly. Travers and Camillus shared a close bond, and he remained by her side until her death in 1996.
Despite her rocky relationship with Disney, P.L. Travers' creation of Mary Poppins has endured as a beloved part of children's literature. Her books have been translated into multiple languages and adapted for stage and screen, ensuring that Mary Poppins will continue to enchant audiences for generations to come.
In 2013, P.L. Travers was portrayed by Emma Thompson in the film "Saving Mr. Banks." The movie chronicled Disney's attempts to convince Travers to sell him the rights to Mary Poppins and the tumultuous relationship that developed between the two. Thompson's performance was praised for its emotional depth and authenticity.
P.L. Travers passed away on April 23, 1996, but her legacy lives on through the enduring popularity of Mary Poppins. Her dedication to storytelling and her unique perspective on life continue to inspire readers and viewers around the world. P.L. Travers will always be remembered as the creator of one of literature's most iconic characters.