David Benedictus author page

David Benedictus biography

David Benedictus was a British novelist, screenwriter, broadcaster and theatre director whose work also included the authorised continuation of A. A. Milne’s Winnie-the-Pooh stories. His first novel, The Fourth of June, was published in 1962 and was later adapted by Benedictus for the stage. His second novel, You’re a Big Boy Now, was adapted into the 1966 film directed by Francis Ford Coppola.

Benedictus worked extensively in broadcasting. At the BBC he was a reporter, story editor and director before becoming Editor of Readings for BBC Radio from 1989 to 1995. He also worked as a commissioning editor for drama at Channel 4 and was an assistant to Trevor Nunn at the Royal Shakespeare Company. His books included fiction and non-fiction, as well as the 2005 memoir Dropping Names.

His connection with Winnie-the-Pooh began before he wrote a new Pooh book. Benedictus adapted and produced audio versions of A. A. Milne’s stories featuring performers including Stephen Fry, Judi Dench and Jane Horrocks. He subsequently wrote new stories featuring Milne’s characters, which led to Return to the Hundred Acre Wood.

Published by Egmont in 2009 and illustrated by Mark Burgess, Return to the Hundred Acre Wood was the first authorised continuation of the Winnie-the-Pooh books since The House at Pooh Corner appeared in 1928. The story brings Christopher Robin back to the Hundred Acre Wood and reunites him with Pooh, Piglet, Eeyore, Tigger and their friends. Benedictus also introduced a new character, Lottie the Otter. The book was published on 5 October 2009, with Burgess creating illustrations intended to complement the visual tradition established by E. H. Shepard.