Jean Adamson

Born in Peckham on 29 February 1928, Jean attended grammar school, before joining Goldsmiths to study illustration. Here she met her future husband and writing partner Gareth Adamson (1926-1982) and, after graduating, continued to teach illustration and design at the university.

Jean also worked for a large animation company: creating illustrations for Birds Custard among other clients, in the 1950s.

After marrying in 1957, Jean and Gareth began working on children’s books together, with Gareth producing the storylines and Jean the illustrations. The Adamsons aimed to create modern, fresh, contemporary books: starring characters and plots that children of the ‘60s could relate to and actually experience.

Twins Topsy and Tim appealed equally to girls and boys because they were relatable – and just as naughty as each other. Following the success of the first book, ‘Monday’ (1960), Jean and Gareth Adamson went on to create over 100 much-loved children's books over the span of five decades.

Upwards of 21 million copies have sold around the world and since 1998, over a million copies have been sold in the UK alone. Sixty episodes of an animated TV series followed and three seasons of a live-action version were broadcast on CBeebies.

In 1999 Jean Adamson was awarded an MBE for her services to children’s literature.