The original stuffed toys of Winnie The Pooh - Pooh, Kanga, Piglet, Eeyore & Tigger
A.A. Milne was raised in London with his two brothers David Barrett Milne and Kenneth John Milne and all attended their father’s school, Henley House. It was there, at Henley House, did A.A. Milne find his inspiration in through one of his teachers, H.G. Wells who in turn developed into a famous writer and close friend to Alan.
From Henley House Alan went to Westminster school and then onto Cambridge to follow a Mathematics scholarship where his brother Ken and himself were published in The Granta and formed a partnership writing light verse. After a couple of years Ken departed and Alan went solo and one of his life long ambitions was granted … he became Editor of Granta.
On completion of the boys’ education, their father, John Vince Milne, gave each of his sons' £1,000. With this Alan fled to London and started his career as an author. Soon the money ran out and Alan was forced to accept a job as a freelance writer for a local newspaper.
In 1905 Alan produced his first book, which proved to be a failure, so he bought back the copyright for £5 to prevent a re-print at a later date. From there he took a job at "Punch" writing articles. When his money situation became more stable he decided to try and write another book. However Owen Seamen, (owner of 'Punch'), told him to wait and offered him the job of Assistant Editor.
Meanwhile, A.A. Milne started to write his second book. During this time Alan met a young lady, Owen Seamen’s goddaughter - Dorothy De Selincourt and they were married in 1913.
In 1915, February 10th A.A. Milne volunteered himself for the war and became Signaling Officer, during this time he wrote his first play. On Valentines Day, February 14, 1919, A.A. Milne was released from the army……
21st August, 1920 saw the birth of A.A. Milne’s and his wife’s son Christopher Robin Milne, (known as Billy Moon to his friends and family but you and I as 'Christopher Robin' - A.A. Milne chose ‘Billy’ to talk to friends and family, and ‘Moon’ for Christopher's way of saying his last name when he was young. The name stuck from there). As a present Alan had written a short verse for Dorothy and told her that any money she made on it she could keep. Immediately Dorothy sent it to magazines, it became a very expensive present and brought success to Alan who was asked to write more.
The childish verses Alan wrote became so popular he decided to write a children's book in 1924 and called on one of his friends from punch - Ernest H Shepherd, (artist who brought Pooh & his friends to life through illustration). Alan decided he did not want to commission Shepherd and drew up an 80/20-partnership agreement.
From there, in 1926, "Winnie The Pooh" was born! Alan’s inspiration came from Christopher's toys and from there, in 1928, he wrote "The House at Pooh Corner" – Tigger’s birth! A.A. Milne claimed this would be his last book but knew writing was his dream and so in 1929 wrote "Toad of Toad Hall" based on the story told by Kenneth Grahames "The Wind in the Willows". A.A. Milne’s last book to be published was "Year in, Year out" in 1952 which was a great success.
Alan Alexandra Milne (A.A. Milne) born January 18th, 1882, son of Sarah Marie & John Vince Milne…author of Winnie The Pooh (and Tigger too). A.A. Milne – the greatest children’s story teller of them all ………
But October 1952 saw a turn for the worse, A.A. Milne had a stroke and for the next three years he lead his life as an invalid, with the truth that his beloved son resented him for his stories and would seldom return to see his farther on his death bed.
January 31st, 1956 Alan Alexander Milne passed away.
On February 10th, 1956 a memorial service was held in London, it was to be the last time Christopher Milne would see his mother although she lived a further 15 years a widow.
In 1961, Dorothy sold the film rights to Walt Disney, who created what we see today as the Winnie the Pooh animated stories....
After the death of A.A. Milne, Christopher’s resentment began to fade, for the books that his name became famous and for the father who wrote them. Christopher followed in his father’s footsteps and produced his first book which was published in 1974. This book told the story of his childhood and his relationship with his parents. In 1979 Christopher published his second book, a follow on to the first, but this time is was the story of his adult life.
April 20th, 1996 Christopher Robin Milne died leaving behind his beloved wife, Leisley De Selincourt (cousin) and daughter Clare. And still the beloved memory of him carries on through the stories of Winnie The Pooh as the character "Christopher Robin".
Today A.A. Milne's books still continue to be best sellers even after his death, and yet his classic Pooh stories will still be children's favourites. No matter how old we get or which of us liked which character best: Pooh, Kanga, Piglet, Eeyore or TIGGER .. either way Winnie the Pooh and Friends will always have a special place in our hearts! Thank you A.A. Milne.
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All the above pictures, quoted text contained, along with the characters Winnie the Pooh, Eeyore, Rabbit, Tigger, Piglet, Owl, Kanga, Roo and Christopher Robin are based on the original works of A.A. Milne and Ernest H. Sheperd.
The characters and their names are registered trademarks of the trustees of the Pooh Properties, Dutton Children's books, and the Disney Corporation. The images on these pages may or may not be fully copyrighted illustrations of the Disney Corporation and/or Dutton Children's books and in no way endorse this site. Furthermore, the author of this website only supplies this information as a service to Winne the Pooh & Tigger fans all over the world and has not, nor intends to use this web page for personal or professional gain.
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