Roald Dahl

Legendary children's writer Roald Dahl would have been 98 today. Among other works for children, Dahl wrote Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, James and the Giant Peach, Matilda and Fantastic Mr. Fox, all of which were made into successful movies. He also wrote novels, poetry, short stories, nonfiction, plays and screen scripts -- including a half dozen episodes of Alfred Hitchcock Presents.

Of writing, he said,  "A person is a fool to become a writer. His only compensation is absolute freedom. He has no master except his own soul, and that, I am sure, is why he does it."
 
In addition to his writing, Dahl was a fighter ace for the Royal Air Force during World War II, a diplomat, and a spy. He lost a child to measles, but in spite of an often turbulent life, he dipped into a deep well of positivity to produce works adults and children alike know and love to this day. 

Perhaps my favorite Dahl quote is this line from The Minpins, which was his last work, published a few months after his death.

 "Above all watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places."