Who wrote the children's fantasy novel 'The Princess and the Goblin'?

George MacDonald wrote the children’s fantasy novel The Princess and the Goblin. The Scottish author published it in book form in 1872 through Strahan & Co., after it had appeared as a serial in Good Words for the Young from November 1870 to June 1871.

The story follows eight-year-old Princess Irene, who lives in a remote mountain kingdom threatened by underground goblins. A young miner named Curdie helps protect her, while a magical thread given to Irene by her mysterious great-great-grandmother guides her safely through danger. The novel combines fairy-tale adventure with themes of courage, trust, honor and moral responsibility.

Arthur Hughes illustrated the original serial and book edition. MacDonald’s imaginative treatment of fantasy influenced later writers, including C. S. Lewis and, according to some scholars, J. R. R. Tolkien. Lewis Carroll was not the author, although MacDonald knew and encouraged him; that association is a common source of confusion. The book’s sequel, The Princess and Curdie, appeared in 1883.