Wilbert Awdry
The Reverend Wilbert Vere Awdry, OBE (15 June 1911[1] – 21 March 1997), was an English Anglican cleric, railway enthusiast, and children's author. Simply known as the Reverend W. Awdry, he was the creator of Thomas the Tank Engine, the central figure in his acclaimed Railway Series.
Wilbert Awdry | |
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.jpg) Awdry in 1988 | |
| Born | Wilbert Vere Awdry 15 June 1911 Ampfield, Hampshire, England |
| Died | 21 March 1997 (aged 85) Rodborough, Gloucestershire, England |
| Occupation | Anglican cleric, railway enthusiast, author |
| Education | Dauntsey's School |
| Alma mater | St Peter's Hall, Oxford Wycliffe Hall, Oxford |
| Notable works | Thomas the Tank Engine |
| Years active | 1945–1997 |
| Spouse | Margaret Wale (m. 1938; her death 1989) |
| Children | 3, including Christopher Awdry |
Awdry was born on 15 June 1911 in Ampfield, Hampshire, England. He was raised in Box, Wiltshire, England. Awdry was educated at Marlborough House School, Sussex (1919–24), Dauntseys School, West Lavington, Wiltshire (1924–9); St Peter's Hall, Oxford (BA, 1932), and Wycliffe Hall, Oxford.
He was married to Margaret Awdry from 1938 until her death in 1989. They had three children, Christopher Awdry, Hilary Fortnum and Veronica Chambers. Awdry died on 21 March 1997 in Rodborough, Stroud, Gloucestershire, England from natural causes, aged 85.
Wilbert Awdry Media
Awdry in May 1988, with Edward Thomas, dressed as "Peter Sam", on the Talyllyn Railway, Wales
Awdry's study, now preserved in the Narrow Gauge Railway Museum on the Talyllyn Railway
Wilbert Awdry cuts a birthday cake for Thomas the Tank Engine at The National Railway Museum, York, 1980
Awdry's memorial plaque, shared with his wife Margaret, at Church Place, Gloucester
Wilbert and son Christopher Awdry, National Railway Museum,York 1980
References
- ↑ Belinda Copson, ‘Awdry, Wilbert Vere (1911–1997)’, Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, Sept 2004; online edn, Jan 2007 accessed 17 Aug 2010
Other websites
Media related to Wilbert Awdry at Wikimedia Commons
- Internet Archive: 'Original' Awdry Family Website – contains some information not available on the later site
- Internet Archive: Sodor Enterprises (publishing company) – Formerly www.sodor.co.uk (Dead link discovered April 2010)
- Wilbert Awdry at Find a Grave
- Rev. W. V. Awdry Archived 2007-09-27 at the Wayback Machine – Biography at the Official Awdry Family Website
- The Narrow Gauge Railway Museum, Tywyn, Gwynedd, Wales – Home of the Rev. W. V. Awdry's study