Ellen Raskin (1928-1984) was an American author and illustrator of children's books. She is best known for her Newbery Medal-winning novel The Westing Game (1978). Raskin was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and attended the University of Wisconsin–Madison. She wrote and illustrated several books, including Figgs & Phantoms (1974), The Tattooed Potato and Other Clues (1977), and The Mysterious Disappearance of Leon (I Mean Noel) (1981). Raskin was also a playwright and wrote the musical The Lady and the Lion (1977). She was a passionate advocate for children's literature and was a founding member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. Raskin's work has been praised for its wit, intelligence, and creativity.