Dodie Smith was an English author and playwright, best known for her children's novel, The Hundred and One Dalmatians, published in 1956. Born on May 3, 1896, in Manchester, she had a passion for writing from a young age. Smith's work often featured themes of adventure and the bond between humans and animals. In addition to her novels, Smith wrote several successful plays, including I Capture the Castle, which was adapted into a film. Throughout her career, she received recognition for her contributions to literature and became a beloved figure in children's literature before her passing on November 24, 1990.