Michael Bond (1926-), Children's writer and creator of 'Paddington Bear'

Sitter in 1 portrait
Michael Bond began writing in 1945, after serving in the Second World War. He sold his first short story to a magazine called London Opinion. After producing a number of short stories and radio plays, his agent suggested that he adapt a television play for children. His first book, A Bear Called Paddington, was published in 1958. Bond went on to write a further series of Paddington stories, and by 1967 his books were so successful that that he was able to give up his job with the BBC in order to become a full-time writer. In 1997 Bond was awarded to OBE for services to children's literature.