Born Charles Lutwidge Dodgson on January 27, 1832, Carroll is known as much for his mathematical work as well his writing fantasy, such as Alice in Wonderland. In fact, student majoring in mathematics often study Carroll in advance collegiate courses.

The young Carroll showed an ability to amuse himself and others with games he invented. He suffered from numerous illnesses as a youngster as well, one of which left him deaf in one ear.

Alice in Wonderland is thought to have grown out of his experiences entertaining the children of Henry George Liddell, dean of the Christ Church. Liddell had three daughters, Alice, Lorina and Edith. Carroll's love of children also brought him into contact with the sons of the poet Alfred, Lord Tennyson. Later study has raised many questions and concerns about Carroll's relationship with children.

His most famous writings beyond Alice in Wonderland include its sequel, Through the Looking Glass as well as the poems "The Hunting of the Snark" and "Jabberwocky." Carroll's poems and verses were collected in 1869 in a work entitled Phantasmagoria and Other Poems.

Carroll died on January 14, 1898.

A Boat Beneath A Sunny Sky

A BOAT beneath a sunny sky,
Lingering onward dreamily
In an evening of July --
Children three that nestle near,
Eager eye and willing ear,
Pleased a simple tale to hear --
Long has paled that sunny sky:
Echoes fade and memories die:
Autumn frosts have slain July.
Still she haunts me, phantomwise,
Alice moving under skies
Never seen by waking eyes.
Children yet, the tale to hear,
Eager eye and willing ear,
Lovingly shall nestle near.
In a Wonderland they lie,
Dreaming as the days go by,
Dreaming as the summers die:
Ever drifting down the stream --
Lingering in the golden dream --
Life, what is it but a dream?