Cottrell, Dorothy (1902–1957)

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Cottrell, Dorothy (1902–1957)

Australian journalist, novelist and short-story writer. Born Ida Dorothy Wilkinson, July 16, 1902, in Picton, NSW, Australia; died June 30, 1957; dau. of Walter Barwon and Ida C. Wilkinson; attended Royal Art Society; m. Walter MacKenzie Cottrell, May 21, 1922.

Contracted polio as a child and was forever confined to a wheelchair; went to live at Ularunda station near Morven, Queensland, and married the station bookkeeper (1922); serialized 1st novel, The Singing Gold, in Ladies Home Journal in US (1927); moved with husband to US where she became a successful journalist and writer; writings include Earth Battle (1930) and The Silent Reefs (1953); also published 2 children's books, including Wilderness Orphan; frequent contributor to Saturday Evening Post.