Margret Elizabeth Rey ( May 16 , 1906 -- December 21 , 1996 ) was a writer and illustrator , known best for the `` Curious George '' series of children 's picture books that she and her husband H. A. Rey created from 1939 to 1966 .
Margret Elizabeth Rey ( May 16 , 1906 -- December 21 , 1996 ) was a German-American writer and illustrator . She was known best for the `` Curious George '' series of children 's picture books that she and her husband H. A. Rey created from 1939 to 1966 .