Jean Adamson MBE |
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Born |
Peckham, England |
29 February 1928
Occupation | Writer and illustrator |
Nationality | British |
Alma mater | University of London |
Notable works | Topsy and Tim |
Spouse | Gareth Adamson (m. 1957; d. 1982) |
Children | Leo (1961) Gabrielle (1963) Kate (1965) |
Jean Adamson, MBE (b. 29 February 1928) is a 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 were relaunched in 2003.
Jean Adamson was born in Peckham, in southeast London. Adamson attended grammar school until she was 16 before studying illustration at Goldsmiths College at University of London. After graduating, she began teaching illustration and design at the University.
Adamson met her future husband and writing partner, Gareth Adamson, while studying at university. They married in 1957 and moved to Newcastle, where they began to work on children's books together.
Adamson has lived in Stretham in Cambridgeshire, England, since 1968. After 25 years of marriage, Gareth died of a brain tumour in 1982.
In September 2009, Adamson was robbed while walking in Stretham. She was left with a broken arm.
Adamson received an MBE in 1999 for her services to children's literature and in 2016, she was made Honorary Fellow of Goldsmiths College.