Mildred Ames
Mildred Ames was an American author born in Bridgeport, Connecticut, who had a diverse career before establishing herself as a writer. After marrying William Ames in 1946, she moved with him from Texas to Southern California, eventually settling in Palos Verdes. Throughout her life, Ames held various jobs, including milliner, salesperson, secretary, and telephone operator. Although she had a passion for writing from a young age, she did not pursue it professionally until the age of forty. After facing numerous rejections, she published her first novel in 1973, followed by another the next year. Ames wrote more than a dozen books, primarily focusing on children's and young adult literature, with themes that explore personal growth, human relationships, and social issues. Notably, two of her novels were adapted for television, showcasing the relevance and appeal of her stories, which include topics like human cloning, animal rights, and the impact of divorce on children.
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Mildred Ames
Writer
- Born: November 2, 1919
- Birthplace: Bridgeport, Connecticut
- Died: July 20, 1994
Biography
Mildred Ames was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut, to Edward and Amelia Walsh. She spent most of her childhood in Connecticut. In 1946, she married William Ames, who was in the United States Air Force. Ames and her husband moved to Wichita Falls, Texas, where they remained until the end of World War II. The pair husband next moved to Southern California, where they eventually settled in Palos Verdes. Ames had many careers during her lifetime: At various times she was a milliner, a salesperson, a secretary, and a telephone operator.
Throughout her childhood, Ames was an avid reader, and she wrote her first short story when she was in grade school. Still, she did not begin her professional writing career until she was forty. After many years of rejection, and some limited success for her shorter works, Ames’s first novel was published in 1973. Her second novel was published the following year. Ames began writing novels for children and young adults soon afterward. Over the course of her writing career, Ames wrote more than a dozen books. Two of her novels, What Are Friends For? and Anna to the Infinite Power were adapted for television. Ames’s stories focus on personal growth, universal emotional experiences, and relationships. The topics of her books are wide-ranging, and subjects include human cloning, animal rights activism, and the effects of divorce on children.