Agencies-Gaza post
Snowman creator Raymond Briggs dies
Illustrator and Author Raymond Briggs, best known for the 1978 classic The Snowman, died aged 88.
His family stated in a press release through his publisher Penguin Random House that Briggs died on Tuesday morning.
Although best known for The Snowman, which has since sold more than 5.5 million copies all over the world, Briggs also formed the beloved kids’ books, Father Christmas, Fungus the Bogeyman, and When the Wind Blows.
An animated copy of The Snowman made for Channel 4 in 1982 has become a festive staple and has been shown every Christmas since.
His family reported, “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 kids’ 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 shared his love of nature with Liz on South Downs steps and on family holidays to Scotland and Wales, he also shared his sense of fun and craziness with his family, and with his family of artist friends at get-togethers, fancy dress parties, and summer picnics in the garden.
“He played practical jokes and enjoyed them being played on him. All of us close to him knew his irreverent humor 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 shortly dating painting.
After evolving an experienced 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 verses, The Mother Goose Treasury.
