T. A. Barron

Thomas Archibald (T.A.) Barron is an American writer of fantasy literature, books for children and young adults, and nature books. Born March 26, 1952 in Boston, Massachusetts, he moved to Colorado and spent much of his youth on a ranch in the Rocky Mountains. T. A.Barron's writing reflects his great passion for nature and the spiritual values of the natural world, as well as his belief in the power of every person. He studied history at Princeton University, where he currently serves as a Trustee, attended Oxford University on a Rhodes scholarship, and has a law degree from Harvard University. He served as president of a venture capital business in New York City before changing careers in 1990, when he returned to Colorado to become a full-time writer and conservationist.

He is an active supporter of conservation causes, serving as a board member for The Wilderness Society, the Alaska Conservation Foundation, and The Nature Conservancy of Colorado. He founded a national prize to celebrate young people who help other people or the environment -- the Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes (named after his mother). He also helped to create the Princeton Environmental Institute at Princeton University in 1990. Recently, the Wilderness Society honored him with the Robert Marshall Award, its highest award given to citizens active in conservation. T.A. Barron lives in Colorado.

In many of his novels, Barron writes about nature and ecology in mythical settings. Inspired by nature's power of renewal as well as humanity's power of free choice, he says, “I truly believe every person can make a difference — that's why I'm drawn to heroic quest stories.” ref|barron-1. His books have received the Nautilus Award for literature that helps to renew the spirit and envision a better world, as well as many other awards from the American Library Association and the International Reading Association. The Lost Years of Merlin epic (five titles) and the novel The Ancient One have been international best sellers; The Great Tree of Avalon trilogy has been a New York Times best seller. Paramount film studio is currently developing a motion picture of The Lost Years of Merlin.

T.A. Barron's books

Adventures of Kate series

* "Heartlight" (1990)
*"The Ancient One" (1992)
* "Merlin Effect" (1994)

"The Lost Years of Merlin" epic

* "The Lost Years of Merlin" (1996)
* "The Seven Songs of Merlin" (1997)
* "The Fires of Merlin" (1998)
* "The Mirror of Merlin" (1999)
* "The Wings of Merlin" (2000)

"The Great Tree of Avalon" trilogy

* Child of the Dark Prophecy (2004)
* Shadows on the Stars (2005)
* The Eternal Flame (2006)

"Merlin's Dragon" trilogy

* Book One coming Fall of 2008

Other Fiction Books

* "Tree Girl" (2001)

Picture Books

* "Where is Grandpa?" (1999)
* "High as a Hawk" (2004)
* "The Day the Stones Walked" (2007)

Nonfiction

* "The Hero's Trail" (2002)

Nature Books

* "To Walk In Wilderness" (1993)
* "Rocky Mountain National Park: A 100 Year Perspective" (1995)

Merlin - The Movie

Paramount Pictures is now in production of "The Lost Years of Merlin" movie.For more information visit [http://www.tabarron.com/tabarron/index.cfm?cid=253,483]

References

* [http://www.tabarron.com/docs/Book%20Page.pdf "It's Only Natural: T.A. Barron follows his passion on a literary quest", Interview by Linda Castellitto]
* [http://www.princeton.edu/~vp/trustees/Trustee_photo.html "Princeton University Board of Trustees"]
* "T.A. Barron" in "Contemporary Literature Online", Gale Thomson, entry updated 22 October 2003.
* [http://www.tabarron.com/nrdc-artists-visionaries-interview-with-ta-barron "NRDC Artists and Visionaries Interview]

External links

* [http://www.tabarron.com/tabarron/ T.A. Barron's website]
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