Mystery Initials

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? Want to know J. K. Rowling's elusive middle name? Read on to solve those mysteries—and get on a first-name basis with other favorite children's authors.

Maybe "John Ronald Reuel" 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