Quentin Blake

Sir Quentin Saxby Blake CH CBE (born 16 December 1932) is a British author and illustrator of children's books. He is most known for his drawings in books written by Roald Dahl.
Education
Blake went to Chislehurst and Sidcup Grammar School. His first published drawing was for Punch magazine, at the age of 16. He studied English Literature at Downing College, Cambridge (1953-6) and later studied at the Chelsea School of Art. He trained as a teacher at the Institute of Education before working at the Royal College of Art.
Career
Blake gained a reputation as an illustrator of over 300 children's books. His work in Roald Dahl's books made him internationally famous. As well as his work with Dahl, Blake has also written several books of his own.
Awards and honours
In 1974 Blake and Russell Hoban were awarded the Whitbread Award for Children's Book for How Tom Beat Captain Najork & His Hired Sportsmen.
He was appointed an OBE in 1988, and then an CBE in 2005, for services to Children's Literature.
Since 1989, he has been Visiting professor at the Royal College of Art.
In 1999 he was made the first Children's Laureate in the UK.
In 2002 he was awarded the Hans Christian Andersen Medal for his contributions to children's book illustration.
He was awarded an honorary degree by the University of Cambridge in 2005.
Bibliography (partial)
This is a list only of books both written and illustrated by Blake.
Patrick, 1968, Jonathan Cape
Jack and Nancy, 1969, Jonathan Cape
Angelo, 1970, Jonathan Cape
Snuff, 1973, Jonathan Cape
Lester at the Seaside, 1975, Collins
Lester and the Unusual Pet, 1975, Collins
The Adventures of Lester, 1977, BBC
Mister Magnolia, 1980, Jonathan Cape
Quentin Blake's Nursery Rhyme Book, 1983, Jonathan Cape
The Story of the Dancing Frog, 1984, Jonathan Cape
Mrs Armitage On Wheels, 1987, Jonathan Cape
Quentin Blake's ABC, 1989, Jonathan Cape
All Join In, 1990, Jonathan Cape
Cockatoos, 1992, Jonathan Cape
Simpkin, 1993, Jonathan Cape
The Quentin Blake Book of Nonsense Verse, 1994, Viking
Clown, 1995, Jonathan Cape
La Vie de la Page, 1995, Gallimard
Mrs Armitage and the Big Wave, 1997, Jonathan Cape
Dix Grenouilles (Ten Frogs), 1997, Gallimard
The Green Ship, 1998, Jonathan Cape
Zagazoo, 1998, Jonathan Cape
Zap! The Quentin Blake Guide to Electrical Safety, 1998, Eastern Electricity
Fantastic Daisy Artichoke, 1999, Jonathan Cape
The Laureate's Party, 2000, Random House
Un Bateau Dans le Ciel, 2000, Rue du Monde
Words and Pictures, 2000, Jonathan Cape
Tell Me a Picture, 2001, National Gallery Co Ltd
Loveykins, 2002, Jonathan Cape
Laureate's Progress, 2002, Jonathan Cape
Mrs Armitage, Queen of the Road, 2003, Jonathan Cape
A Sailing Boat In The Sky, 2003, Red Fox
Angel Pavement, 2004, Jonathan Cape
Other
The Learning Journey (Illustrated versions, for parents, of key stages 1 and 2 of the National Curriculum for England)
Notes
Other websites
Quentin Blake official site
Biography of Blake from British Cartoon Archive, University of Kent
Interviews and articles
Interview, with The Guardian, September 28, 2007
Interview with Quentin Blake - In free streaming video (Real), on the Northwestern University Library website
Report on community dialogue in 2007
1932 births
Living people
British illustrators
British writers
British cartoonists