Mystery Initials

Full names of famous authors

Ever wonder what the two R's stand for in J. R. R. Tolkien? Curious about whether S. E. Hinton is a man or a woman? It used to be common for authors to use only their initials-it was a touch of formality that was considered suitable behavior in the lofty profession of writer. However, some female have authors used their initials in order to hide their gender. For example, Joanne Kathleen Rowling, author of the Harry Potter books, and her publisher decided to call her "J. K." so that her books would have greater appeal to boys. Until Rowling became a celebrity, many readers assumed that Harry's creator was a man.

“Maybe John Ronald Ruel didn't fit on the book cover?!”

• J. M. Barrie
  Known for: Peter Pan
  Full name: James Matthew Barrie
• L. Frank Baum
  Known for: The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
  Full name: Lyman Frank Baum
• L. M. Boston
  Known for: Green Knowe series
  Full name: Lucy Maria Boston
• S. E. Hinton
  Known for: The Outsiders
  Full name: Susan Eloise Hinton
• E. L. Konigsburg
  Known for: From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler
  Full name: Elaine Lobl Konigsburg
• C. S. Lewis
  Known for: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe
  Full name: Clive Staples Lewis
• A. A. Milne
  Known for: Winnie the Pooh
  Full name: Alan Alexander Milne
• F. N. Monjo
  Known for: The Drinking Gourd
  Full name: Ferdinand Nicholas Monjo
• L. M. Montgomery
  Known for: Anne of Green Gables
  Full name: Lucy Maud Montgomery
• E. Nesbit
  Known for: Five Children and It
  Full name: Edith Nesbit
• H. A. Rey
  Known for: Curious George
  Full name: Hans Augusto Rey
• J. K. Rowling
  Known for: Harry Potter series
  Full name: Joanne Kathleen Rowling
• R. L. Stine
  Known for: Goosebumps series
  Full name: Robert Lawrence Stine
• J. R. R. Tolkien
  Known for: The Hobbit
  Full name: John Ronald Reuel Tolkien
• P. L. Travers
  Known for: Mary Poppins
  Full name: Pamela Lyndon Travers
• E. B. White
  Known for: Charlotte's Web
  Full name: Elwyn Brooks White
• T. H. White
  Known for: The Sword in the Stone
  Full name: Terence Hanbury White