Jean Adamson

Jean Adamson, MBE (born 29 February 1928) is a British 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 which were relaunched in 2003.[1][2]

Jean Adamson

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

Life and career

Adamson was born in Peckham, in southeast London. She attended grammar school until she was 16 before studying illustration at Goldsmiths College at the 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. The couple married in 1957 and moved to Newcastle, where they began to work on children's books together.[3]

The Adamsons moved to The Old Farmhouse, Padney, in Cambridgeshire in 1968. After 25 years of marriage, Gareth died of a brain tumour in February 1982 and Jean moved to Stretham, also in Cambridgeshire.[4]

In September 2009, Adamson was robbed by a youth while walking in Stretham. She was left with a broken arm and her shopping bag was stolen.[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. Archived from the original on 25 January 2023. Retrieved 17 September 2016.
  2. "Relaunch for Topsy and Tim". news.bbc.co.uk. Archived from the original on 16 April 2022. Retrieved 17 September 2016.
  3. "Stretham Topsy and Tim author is given an honorary fellowship from Goldsmith's University in London". Ely Standard. Archived from the original on 13 February 2023. Retrieved 13 February 2023.
  4. "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.
  5. "Children's author, 81, is robbed". BBC News. Archived from the original on 20 June 2022. Retrieved 17 September 2016.
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