Raymond Briggs is one of the foremost creators of illustrated books for adults and children, including Fungus the Bogeyman, The Snowman and Father Christmas.

He was born in Wimbledon, London, in 1934, son of a milkman and a former lady's maid.

Raymond's parents were an important source of inspiration to his work.

Raymond left school, aged 15, to study painting at Wimbledon School of Art.

After completing a typography course at the Central School of Art, and two years of National Service, Raymond went on to the Slade School to study painting.

His first work was in advertising, but before long he was winning acclaim as a children's book illustrator as well as teaching illustration at Brighton College of Art.