It is with a sad heart that Xlibris Publishing announces the passing of Peggy Fortnum, age 96, original illustrator for the acclaimed children’s book character Paddington Bear. The character and his stories were the creation of Michael Bond. Together, Michael Bond’s writing and Peggy Fortnum’s illustrations brought to life a beloved bear from darkest Peru, the British family that accepted him, and said bear’s love of marmalade. Peggy Fortnum provided illustrations for the first volume, “A Bear Called Paddington,” in 1958, proceeding to illustrate the character and his (mis)adventures by herself for three more volumes, until 1983. Thereafter she alternated with other illustrators. When the books were relaunched in 1998, as a celebration of Paddington’s 40 years in print, they used Peggy Fortnum’s original work.
She visited the London Zoo, watching and sketching Malayan bears as inspiration and models for Paddington bear. For the family who adopted the bear, Peggy Fortnum drew upon a photo of her nephew and his father. The devotion and warmth with which she imbued the characters of Paddington and his family made them more beloved by author Michael Bond and readers around the world.
From an early age, since elementary school, Peggy Fortnum displayed a love and passion for art, both painting and drawing. Though she enrolled in the Tunbridge Wells School of Art 1939, furthering her artistic schools, witnessing the bombing of London in 1940 drove Peggy Fortnum to joining and serving in the ATS. And though she sustained serious injuries over the course of the war, these did not stop her from returning to her studies.
Her successful career in illustration began with the 1944 book “Dorcas the Wooden Doll” by Mary F Moore, and her career continued to be successful for decades. Peggy’s further work included folk stories and contemporary novels, becoming known for her talent at bringing characters and images to life with seemingly rough yet organic lines.
This article was taken from the Guardian.
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