Ardizzone, Edward (1900-1979)

British illustrator, author, and teacher. A prolific artist, he illustrated over 180 books, and as an official war artist during World War II he completed some 520 works 1940-45. He was author of the ‘Tim’ series of children's books, the first of which was Little Tim and the Brave Sea Captain (1936).

Born in Tonkin, northern Vietnam, Ardizzone was brought to England at the age of five and educated at Claysmore School, London. He attended evening classes at the Westminster School of Art, his only formal artistic training, and became a full-time

artist in 1927. Two years later his first illustrated book was published.

Following service as a war artist in World War II, he taught at the Camberwell School of Art and Crafts 1948-52, when UNESCO commissioned him to go to India. Upon his return, he tutored at the Royal College of Art 1953-61.