Author and illustrator Raymond Briggs, best known for the 1978 classic The Snowman, has died aged 88.
His family said in a statement through publisher Penguin Random House that Briggs died on Tuesday morning. Briggs was best known for The Snowman, which has sold more than 5.5 million copies around the world.
An animated version of The Snowman made for Channel 4 in 1982 has become a festive staple and has been shown every Christmas since. Briggs also created the beloved children’s books Father Christmas, Fungus the Bogeyman and When the Wind Blows.
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His family said: “We know that Raymond’s books were loved by and touched millions of people around the world, who will be sad to hear this news. Drawings from fans – especially children’s drawings – inspired by his books were treasured by Raymond and pinned up on the wall of his studio.
“He lived a rich and full life, and said he felt lucky to have had both his wife Jean, and his partner of over 40 years Liz in his life. He played practical jokes and enjoyed them being played on him. All of us close to him knew his irreverent humour – this could be biting in his work when it came to those in power.
“He liked the Guardian editorial describing himself as an ‘iconoclastic national treasure’.”
Born in Wimbledon in 1934, Briggs studied at the Wimbledon School of Art and the Slade School of Fine Art before briefly pursuing painting. After becoming a professional illustrator, he worked and taught illustration at the Brighton College of Art.
In 1966 he won the Kate Greenaway medal for his illustration work on a book of nursery rhymes, The Mother Goose Treasury. His best-known works were published between 1973 and 1984 and also included Father Christmas Goes On Holiday and The Tin-Pot Foreign General And The Old Iron Woman.
Francesca Dow, managing director of Penguin Random House Children’s, said: “Raymond’s books are picture masterpieces that address some of the fundamental questions of what it is to be human, speaking to both adults and children with a remarkable economy of words and illustrations.
“He needed greater freedom perhaps than the standard 32-page picture book format allowed and created a radical and beautiful innovation: a wordless picture book for children, a storyboard of stills that became an instant classic in its own right, as well as the much-loved animation.”
Ms Dow said Briggs had been “unique” and had “inspired generations of creators of picture books, graphic novels, and animations.” She added: “He leaves an extraordinary legacy, and a big hole.”
Deputy Labour leader Angela Rayner added: “Raymond Briggs brought so much magic and joy to so many. Rest in peace.
“And thank you for the memories.”
Raymond Briggs brought so much magic and joy to so many. Rest in peace. And thank you for the memories. pic.twitter.com/6jgIFlh3OG
— Angela Rayner (@AngelaRayner)
TV gardener Monty Don tweeted: “Thank you Raymond Briggs for a life’s work magnificently celebrating the rich seam of very English pessimism. You enriched so many of our lives.”
Briggs was made a CBE for services to literature in 2017. He is survived by his step-daughter Clare and her husband Fynn, his step-son Tom and his wife Sarah, and his three step-grandchildren.
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