H. A. Rey Hans Augusto Rey ( September 16 , 1898 -- August 26 , 1977 ) was an illustrator and a writer , known best for the `` Curious George '' series of children 's picture books that he and his wife Margret Rey created from 1939 to 1966 .
H. A. Rey Hans Augusto Rey ( September 16 , 1898 -- August 26 , 1977 ) was an German-American illustrator and a writer . He was best known for the `` Curious George '' series of children 's picture books that he and his wife Margret Rey created from 1939 to 1966 .