Jean Adamson

Jean Adamson, MBE (born 29 February 1928) is a writer and illustrator of children's books. She is best known for the Topsy and Tim books, the first of which was published in 1960 and were relaunched in 2003.[1][2]

Jean Adamson

MBE
Born (1928-02-29) 29 February 1928
Peckham, London, England
OccupationWriter and illustrator
NationalityBritish
Alma materUniversity of London
Notable worksTopsy and Tim
Spouse
Gareth Adamson
​
​
(m. 1957; died 1982)​
ChildrenLeo (1961)
Gabrielle (1963)
Kate (1965)

Life and career

Jean Adamson was born in Peckham, in southeast London. Adamson attended grammar school until she was 16 before studying illustration at Goldsmiths College at University of London. After graduating, she began teaching illustration and design at the University.[1]

Adamson met her future husband and writing partner, Gareth Adamson, while studying at university. They married in 1957 and moved to Newcastle, where they began to work on children's books together.[3][4]

The Adamson's moved to The Old Farmhouse Padney in Cambridgeshire, England in 1968. After 25 years of marriage, Gareth died of a brain tumour in February 1982 and Jean moved to Stretham in Cambridgeshire, England.[3]

In September 2009, Adamson tried to keep her shopping bag as it was stolen by a child on a Stretham sidewalk, breaking her arm.[5]

Awards

Adamson received an MBE in the 2000 New Year Honours for her services to children's literature and in 2016,[1] she was made Honorary Fellow of Goldsmiths College.[3]

References
  1. "Jean Adamson". Goldsmiths University of London. Retrieved 17 September 2016.
  2. "Relaunch for Topsy and Tim". news.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 17 September 2016.
  3. "Topsy and Tim author Jean Adamson to be made Honorary Fellow of Goldsmiths, University of London". Ely-News. 16 February 2016. Retrieved 17 September 2016.
  4. Rhodes, Giulia (31 October 2013). "Topsy and Tim are just like members of the family". Sunday Express. Retrieved 18 September 2016.
  5. "Children's author, 81, is robbed". news.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 17 September 2016.
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