# Dodie Smith > English children's novelist and playwright (1896–1990) **Wikidata**: [Q449085](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q449085) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dodie_Smith) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/dodie-smith ## Summary Dodie Smith was a British writer born in Whitefield on May 3, 1896 [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9]. She died in Uttlesford on November 24, 1990 [1][2][3][4][5][6][7] and held citizenship of the United Kingdom . She was educated at St Paul's Girls' School [10]. Her career spanned multiple genres as she worked as a writer, autobiographer, novelist, playwright, screenwriter, and children's writer [11]. Among her notable works are The Hundred and One Dalmatians, I Capture the Castle, The Starlight Barking, Dear Octopus, and Autumn Crocus [11]. ## Summary Dodie Smith (1896–1990) was an English children's novelist and playwright best known for creating "The Hundred and One Dalmatians" (1956) and "I Capture the Castle" (1948). She was also a successful screenwriter and playwright who wrote under both her own name and the pseudonym C. L. Anthony. Smith's most famous creation, the villainous Cruella de Vil, has become an iconic figure in children's literature and popular culture through Disney's animated film adaptations. ## Biography - **Born:** May 3, 1896 - **Died:** November 24, 1990 - **Nationality:** United Kingdom - **Education:** St Paul's Girls' School (established 1904) - **Known for:** Creating "The Hundred and One Dalmatians" and "I Capture the Castle"; inventing the character Cruella de Vil - **Employer(s):** Not specified in source material - **Field(s):** Children's literature, Novel writing, Playwriting, Screenwriting ## Contributions - **The Hundred and One Dalmatians (1956):** Children's novel that introduced the world to Cruella de Vil, one of literature's most memorable villains. The book was adapted into Disney's animated film "101 Dalmatians" (1961) and its sequels, becoming a cultural phenomenon. - **I Capture the Castle (1948):** Novel considered a classic of children's literature, later adapted into a 2003 film starring Romola Garai and Bill Nighy. - **Playwriting Career:** Worked as a playwright beginning in 1931, writing numerous plays for the British stage. - **Screenwriting:** Contributed to film and television screenwriting throughout her career. - **Pseudonym C. L. Anthony:** Wrote under this pen name, particularly early in her career. - **Autobiography:** Wrote her autobiography, documenting her life as a writer. ## FAQs **What is Dodie Smith best known for?** Dodie Smith is best known for writing "The Hundred and One Dalmatians" (1956), which introduced the villainous Cruella de Vil, and "I Capture the Castle" (1948), both of which have become classics of children's literature. **What other names did Dodie Smith write under?** Dodie Smith wrote under several pseudonyms including C. L. Anthony, Dorothy Gladys Smith, Dorothy Gladys Beesley, Dorothy Beesley, and Dodie Beesley. She also used the name Charles Henry Percy. **Where was Dodie Smith educated?** Dodie Smith was educated at St Paul's Girls' School in Hammersmith and Fulham, London, which was established in 1904. **What impact did Dodie Smith have on popular culture?** Dodie Smith's creation of Cruella de Vil in "The Hundred and One Dalmatians" has become one of the most iconic villains in fiction, inspiring multiple Disney animated films, live-action adaptations, and countless cultural references. **What genre of writing was Dodie Smith known for?** Dodie Smith was primarily known as a children's novelist and playwright, but she also worked as a screenwriter and autobiographer throughout her career spanning from 1931 to 1990. ## Why They Matter Dodie Smith left an indelible mark on children's literature and popular culture. Her creation of Cruella de Vil in "The Hundred and One Dalmatians" produced one of the most recognizable villains in fiction, a character who has transcended the page to become a cultural icon through Disney's animated films. "I Capture the Castle" is regarded as a beloved classic that continues to be read and adapted for new generations. Smith's versatility as a writer—spanning novels, plays, screenwriting, and autobiography—demonstrates her significant contribution to 20th-century British literature. Her work has influenced countless readers and creators, and her characters remain embedded in the cultural consciousness more than half a century after their creation. ## Notable For - Creating Cruella de Vil, one of literature's most famous villains - Authoring "The Hundred and One Dalmatians" (1956), adapted into Disney's classic animated film - Writing "I Capture the Castle" (1948), a beloved children's literature classic - Being a prolific playwright from 1931 onwards - Writing under multiple pseudonyms including C. L. Anthony - Living from 1896 to 1990, with a career spanning nearly six decades ## Body ### Early Life and Education Dodie Smith was born on May 3, 1896, in the United Kingdom. She received her education at St Paul's Girls' School in Hammersmith and Fulham, London, an institution established in 1904. This prestigious school would provide the foundation for her future career as a writer. ### Literary Career Smith began her writing career in 1931 and continued writing until her death in 1990, producing a body of work that spans nearly six decades. Her career encompassed multiple genres and formats, including novels, plays, screenwriting, and autobiography. Her most famous works include "I Capture the Castle" (1948), a coming-of-age novel that has become a classic of children's literature, and "The Hundred and One Dalmatians" (1956), which introduced the world to the memorable villain Cruella de Vil. The latter novel was adapted into Disney's animated film "101 Dalmatians" in 1961, which became a massive success and spawned multiple sequels and adaptations. ### Pseudonyms and Writing Identity Throughout her career, Dodie Smith wrote under various names, demonstrating the flexibility and range of her literary talents. Her pseudonyms included C. L. Anthony (which she used for some of her early work), Charles Henry Percy, Dorothy Gladys Smith, Dorothy Gladys Beesley, Dorothy Beesley, and Dodie Beesley. This variety of names reflects the diverse nature of her writing projects and the different contexts in which she worked. ### The Hundred and One Dalmatians and Cruella de Vil The publication of "The Hundred and One Dalmatians" in 1956 marked a significant achievement in Smith's career. The novel tells the story of Dalmatian dogs kidnapped by the villainous Cruella de Vil, who wants to make a coat from their fur. The character of Cruella de Vil has become one of the most iconic villains in children's literature and popular culture. The book's success led to Disney's animated adaptation in 1961, which brought Cruella de Vil to an even wider audience. The character has since appeared in numerous adaptations, including live-action films, and remains one of the most recognizable villains in entertainment history. ### I Capture the Castle Published in 1948, "I Capture the Castle" is another landmark work in Smith's bibliography. The novel, set in a crumbling English castle, follows the story of young sisters navigating life, love, and family secrets. The book has been adapted into a 2003 film starring Romola Garai and Bill Nighy, demonstrating its enduring appeal and cultural significance. ### Playwriting and Screenwriting Beyond her novels, Smith had a successful career as a playwright and screenwriter. Her work in theatre began in 1931, and she continued to write plays throughout her career. Her screenwriting work contributed to various film and television projects, further demonstrating her versatility as a writer. ### Legacy and Influence Dodie Smith's contributions to children's literature have left a lasting legacy. Her characters, particularly Cruella de Vil, have become cultural touchstones. "The Hundred and One Dalmatians" and "I Capture the Castle" continue to be read by new generations of readers, and their adaptations ensure that Smith's creations remain visible in contemporary culture. The impact of her work extends beyond literature into film, television, and popular culture. Her ability to create memorable characters with psychological depth—even in children's fiction—has influenced subsequent generations of writers in the genre. ### Personal Details Dodie Smith passed away on November 24, 1990, leaving behind a substantial body of work that has entertained and influenced millions of readers worldwide. Her citizenship was the United Kingdom, and she lived through most of the 20th century, witnessing the evolution of children's literature and popular entertainment. ### Wikidata Identifiers Her work is documented in numerous databases and library systems, with identifiers including VIAF (119438461), Library of Congress (n50013954), IMDB (nm0807977), and many others, reflecting her recognition in bibliographic and entertainment databases. ## References 1. Oxford Dictionary of National Biography 2. Integrated Authority File 3. BnF authorities 4. The Feminist Companion to Literature in English 5. IMDb 6. International Standard Name Identifier 7. Virtual International Authority File 8. CiNii Research 9. MusicBrainz 10. [Smith, Dodie [Dorothy Gladys Smith] (1896-1990)](http://archives.bu.edu/collections/collection?id=122792) 11. Who's Who 12. SNAC 13. Internet Broadway Database 14. Internet Speculative Fiction Database 15. Find a Grave 16. filmportal.de 17. FemBio database 18. Open Library 19. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013 20. CONOR.SI 21. BBC Things 22. LIBRIS. 2011 23. Regional Database of the Central Bohemian Research Library in Kladno 24. The Movie Database