Raymond Briggs author page

Raymond Briggs biography

Raymond Briggs was a British author and illustrator, renowned for his work in children’s literature. He was born in Wimbledon, London, in 1934. Briggs studied at the Wimbledon School of Art and later at the Slade School of Fine Art, University College, London. His career began in earnest as a professional illustrator, working on children’s books.

Briggs gained significant recognition with his book Father Christmas, published in 1973, which won the Kate Greenaway Medal. This book was followed by Father Christmas Goes on Holiday in 1975. Another notable work, Fungus the Bogeyman, was published in 1977, showcasing his distinctive style and humour.

In 1978, Briggs published The Snowman, a wordless picture book that became one of his most famous works. It was adapted into an animated television film in 1982, which has since become a perennial Christmas favourite in the UK. The adaptation was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film.

Briggs continued to produce acclaimed works, including When the Wind Blows in 1982, a graphic novel depicting a nuclear attack on Britain. This work was later adapted into an animated film in 1986. His book Ethel & Ernest, published in 1998, was a deeply personal work based on the lives of his parents.

Throughout his career, Briggs received numerous accolades, including the British Book Awards’ Children’s Author of the Year in 1993. His contributions to literature were further recognised when he was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 2017 for services to literature.

Raymond Briggs passed away in 2022, leaving behind a legacy of influential and beloved works in children’s literature.