With a Masters in English as a Foreign Language and Dialectology, American-born William Chancellor's passion for the study of languages led him to master five, one of which is his beloved Middle High German dialect of the Zurich Highlands. As an artist with a BFA in Stained Glass Design, he created the largest stained-glass installation in a non-sacred structure in Switzerland, as well as others both there and in the Netherlands and Italy. Also a dedicated plantsman, he was awarded the Dick Kitchingman Silver Salver by the British Hosta and Hemerocallis Society for his work. He ran a speciality nursery from his home in northern Italy where he developed over thirty hardy Orchid-form Hemerocallis inspired by the very Summerbird Orchids of his books. Co-founder of the Toyger Cat breed, he also introduced and promoted the Bengal Cat breed to his new homeland. Husband of one, father of four, and grandfather of two, his love of history and story-telling blend with his passions for geography, language and botany in the epic story of Palanshia.
