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Ursula Moray Williams (1911-2006)
Highly acclaimed children's author. Best known perhaps for her Gobbolino series about a discontented witch's cat who longs to be a normal fireside moggy, but also wrote a few pony stories.
She was born in Hampshire in 1911, one of a pair of twins. She and her sister Barbara were educated at home and encouraged to love animals and books. Riding was a favourite activity, as was writing and illustrating their own stories. When older, both of the sisters enrolled in art college. Ursula did not enjoy it and left after only a year, but Barbara found her passion in art and went on to become the regarded illustrator and wood carver Barbara Arnason. (She also illustrated one of her sister's books.)
Ursula however, encouraged by her uncle (who was the famous publisher Sir Stanley Unwin), preferred to try her hand at writing. Her first book was published at just age 20. She soon became a well-known and popular writer, penning several classic stories, many of which were made into TV series. She also kept her hand in with her art, illustrating many of her own books. Her career spanned 70 years, and her books continue to be reprinted up until the present day.
(Sources: Telegraph & Guardian Obituaries)
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