Sterling North

Thomas Sterling North (November 4, 1906 – December 21, 1974) was an American writer, best known for his children's book "Rascal," which became a bestseller in 1963. He was born in Edgerton, Wisconsin, and grew up in a farmhouse near Lake Koshkonong. North's childhood was marked by the death of his mother at a young age and a struggle with polio in his teens. He attended the University of Chicago and began his career in journalism, working for various newspapers before becoming a full-time freelance writer. His work often drew inspiration from his Wisconsin upbringing, with Edgerton serving as the setting for "Brailsford Junction" in several of his books. North also wrote novels for adults and was a vocal critic of comic books in the 1940s. His book "Midnight and Jeremiah" was adapted into the Disney film "So Dear to My Heart," and "Rascal" was also adapted into a film and a Japanese anime series. A book festival is held annually in Edgerton to honor his legacy.