Alexander Key (April 21, 1904 – February 29, 1979) was an American author and illustrator best known for his science fiction and fantasy novels for young readers. Born in Laurel, he originally worked as a commercial artist and illustrator before turning to writing. His novels often feature children with extraordinary abilities, encounters with extraterrestrials, and themes of tolerance, survival, and environmental stewardship. Several of his books were adapted for film and television, most notably “Escape to Witch Mountain”.

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Books by Alexander Key:

1940 – The Golden Goose
1944 – The Hidden Treasure of Glaston
1949 – The Forgotten Door
1958 – The Space Monsters
1964 – The Incredible Tide
1968 – Escape to Witch Mountain
1970 – The Magic Meadow
1972 – Return from Witch Mountain
1973 – The Sky Children
1974 – The Enemy Stars (juvenile adaptation of a novel by Poul Anderson)
1975 – The Forgotten Door (revised edition)

Picture books and illustrated books:

1939 – The Big Golden Book of Dogs (illustrator)
Various Illustrated children’s books and magazine work