Mary Hayley Bell was an English author and playwright, born on January 22, 1911, in Bishop Auckland, County Durham. She is best known for her literary works, including the novel "Whistle Down the Wind," which was published in 1958 and later adapted into a successful film and musical. In addition to her writing, Bell was the wife of the famous actor Sir John Mills and the mother of actress Juliet Mills and actor Hayley Mills. Her contributions to literature and her family's artistic legacy have made her a notable figure in British cultural history.