The Snowman author and illustrator Raymond Briggs dies aged 88

[Rob Thompson]

The Snowman author and illustrator Raymond Briggs dies aged 88

Source: Sky News

By Megan Baynes

Date 10-08-2022

Author and illustrator Raymond Briggs, best known for the 1978 classic The Snowman, has died aged 88.

The announcement was made by his publisher, Penguin Random House.

The Snowman was first released as a picture book - and has sold more than 5.5 million copies worldwide - before it was turned into a much-loved animation in 1982. The show was made for Channel 4 and has since become a festive staple and shown every Christmas since.

Briggs also created beloved children's books Father Christmas and Fungus The Bogeyman.

A statement from his family said: "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 children's 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 walks 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 humour - 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'."

Aled Jones has said he owes Raymond Briggs a "debt of gratitude". The welsh singer rose to fame as a teenager after he covered Walking in the Air, the song written by Howard Blake for the 1982 animated film The Snowman, based on the book by Briggs.

Speaking on his Classic FM radio show on Wednesday, Jones paid tribute to Briggs, saying: "What a legacy he leaves behind.

"His books have touched millions of people all around the world, and what a debt of gratitude I owe to his greatest creation of all. Thank you, Raymond."

He then played the classic song in memory of the late author. An extraordinary legacy

Born in Wimbledon in 1934, Briggs studied at the Wimbledon School of Art and the Slade School of Fine Art before briefly pursuing painting.

After becoming a professional illustrator, he worked and taught illustration at the Brighton College of Art.

His won numerous prizes across his career, including the Kurt Maschler Award, The Children's Book of the Year, the Dutch Silver Pen Award. He was made a CBE for services to literature in 2017.

Francesca Dow, managing director at Penguin Random House Children's, said: "I am very proud that Puffin has been the home of Raymond's children's books for so many years.

"Raymond's books are picture masterpieces that address some of the fundamental questions of what it is to be human, speaking to both adults and children with a remarkable economy of words and illustrations."

She said he was "a brilliantly observant, funny storyteller, honest about how life is rather than how adults might wish to tell it to children".

[Rob Thompson]

Such sad news. The Snowman has become a traditional favourite in most homes on Christmas day now, well certainly i the UK

I may watch it later today

[Black River Santa]

13 hours ago, Rob Thompson said:

Such sad news. The Snowman has become a traditional favourite in most homes on Christmas day now, well certainly i the UK

I may watch it later today

I watch it every year. 

[Rob Thompson]

5 hours ago, Black River Santa said:

I watch it every year. 

We also watch ......

[Black River Santa]

4 hours ago, Rob Thompson said:

We also watch ......

I haven't seen this one. I'll have to find it this year.

[Rob Thompson]

45 minutes ago, Black River Santa said:

I haven't seen this one. I'll have to find it this year.

Definitely worth a watch, however he comes across as a little bit of a grumpy Santa, much Like @Santa Craig Maxwell lol :)

[Grandpa Gus]

He lived a long and wonderful life, the story that he wrote for the world has been read and the video that was made from the story has been a source of enjoyment for so many people, and I am grateful for it. I hope he rests in peace and a bit of his spirit is with all of those who appreciate the story. May God be with him and his family.