Patrick Benson

I was born in 1956 in Rogate, Hampshire, the United Kingdom. I am the youngest of four children. I was educated at Eton College and studied art at the Studio of Nerina Simi in Florence, Chelsea School of Art, and St. Martins School of Art. I now live in the Scottish Borders with my partner and son.

Since 1982 I have been working on children’s books. I have illustrated numerous titles amongst which Owl Babies with Martin Waddell has been the most successful. I also was the illustrator for Roald Dahl’s last published book, The Minpins.

My first series of books, The Hob Stories, written by William Mayne, won the Mother Goose Award. My illustrations forThe Sea-Thing Child (written by Russell Hoban) won the Kurt Maschler award for illustration, and Mole And Baby Birdwon a Christopher award.

Three Things You Might Not Know About Me:

At first I worked in the fashion industry; then a chance meeting with Mirabel Cecil, the journalist and sister of children book publisher Sebastian Walker, opened the way for a career in illustration.I have traveled extensively, sometimes with a fishing rod in my hand. I enjoy anything to do with the countryside and have 26 acres: plenty of room for the 2 horses, 7 sheep, 2 dogs, 36 chickens, 2 guinea fowl, and a guinea pig named Bodger!