Milne, A.A.

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'''Alan Alexander Milne''' ([[International Phonetic Alphabet|IPA pronunciation]]: {{IPA|[mɪɫn]}}) (January 18, 1882 – January 31, 1956), also known as '''A. A. Milne''', was a proliferous [[England|English]] author, of books, plays and poems.  He is best known for his books about the teddy bear Winnie-the-Pooh and for various children's poems. Milne was a noted writer, primarily as a playwright, before the huge success of Pooh overshadowed all his previous work.  The children's books by Milne withstand the test of time.  They continue to be best sellers and favorites of children of all ages.
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'''Alan Alexander Milne''' (January 18, 1882 – January 31, 1956), also known as '''A. A. Milne,''' was a prolific [[England|English]] author of books, plays, and poems.  He is best known for his books about the teddy bear, [[Winnie the Pooh]] and for various children's poems. Milne was a noted writer, primarily as a playwright, before the huge success of Pooh overshadowed all his previous work.  The children's books by Milne withstand the test of time.  They continue to be best sellers and favorites of children of all ages.
  
Milne's generosity lives beyond him.  Royalties from the Pooh characters help to fund an artist-in-residence program for professional authors to be placed at universities in United Kingdom. The program is operated by one of Milne's favorite charities, the Royal Literary Fund.
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Milne's generosity lives beyond him.  Royalties from the Pooh characters help to fund an artist-in-residence program for professional authors to be placed at universities in United Kingdom. The program is operated by one of Milne's favorite charities, the [[Royal Literary Fund]].
  
 
==Life==
 
==Life==
Milne was born to John Vine Milne and Sarah Maria Heginbotham in Hampstead, London, [[England]].  He was the youngest of three boys. Young Alan grew up at Henley House School, 6/7 Mortimer Road, Kilburn, London, a small independent school run by his father. One of his teachers at the school was [[H. G. Wells]].
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Milne was born to John Vine Milne and Sarah Maria Heginbotham in Hampstead, London, [[England]].  He was the youngest of three boys. Young Alan grew up at Henley House School, 6/7 Mortimer Road, Kilburn, London, a small independent school run by his father. One of his teachers at the school was [[H.G. Wells]].
  
While growing up, Alan was more close to his father than his mother.  His closest family relationship was with his brother Ken. Alan and Ken remained best friends until Ken died of tuberculosis in 1929.  In contrast, Alan and his brother Barry were not close.  In adulthood, Alan became increasingly alienated from Barry.  In spite of the distance between Alan and Barry, Alan was a very kind and supportive friend to Barry's wife, Connie.   
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While growing up, Alan was closer to his father than his mother.  His closest family relationship was with his brother Ken. Alan and Ken remained best friends until Ken died of tuberculosis in 1929.  In contrast, Alan and his brother Barry were not close.  In adulthood, Alan became increasingly alienated from Barry.  In spite of the distance between Alan and Barry, Alan was a very kind and supportive friend to Barry's wife, Connie.   
  
Milne attended Westminster School and Trinity College, Cambridge where he studied on a [[mathematics]] scholarship. Milne's motivation to attend Cambridge was his desire to work on the humorist publication, ''The Granta''. While at Cambridge, he edited and wrote for ''The Granta'', a student magazine. He collaborated with his brother Kenneth on articles for ''Granta''.  Their articles appeared over the initials AKM.  Eventually Alan wrote solo and also fulfilled his goal to become editor of ''The Granta''.  During Alan's years at ''The Granta'', readership increased significantly.  His greatest pleasure and satisfaction came through honing his skill at crafting light verse.  In 1903, Milne graduated from Cambridge with a degree in mathematics.   
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Milne attended Westminster School and Trinity College, Cambridge, where he studied on a [[mathematics]] scholarship. Milne's motivation to attend Cambridge was his desire to work on the humorist publication, ''The Granta''. While at Cambridge, he edited and wrote for ''The Granta,'' a student magazine. He collaborated with his brother Kenneth on articles, which appeared under the initials, AKM.  Eventually, Alan wrote solo and also fulfilled his goal of becoming editor of ''The Granta''.  During Alan's years at ''The Granta,'' readership increased significantly.  His greatest pleasure and satisfaction came through honing his skill at crafting light verse.  In 1903, Milne graduated from Cambridge with a degree in mathematics.   
  
Milne's work at ''The Granta'' had come to the attention of the leading British humor magazine ''Punch'', where Milne was to become a contributor and later an assistant editor. Immediately following college graduation, Milne moved to London to write, living on a modest stipend from his father. After sixteen months, the money was nearly gone but he was beginning to earn a meager amount from articles submitted to newspapers and publications like ''Punch''.  ''St. James Gazette'' was initially his largest income source.  In fact, [[H.G. Wells]] suggested that a series of articles Milne had written for the ''Gazette'' could be the basis for a book.  This series became the beginnings of his first book, ''Lovers in London'', published in 1905.  Later in 1905, Milne's work was appearing more regularly in ''Punch''.  His income was becoming more steady.  As the end of the year closed in, Milne planned to pull back from article writing to focus on a new book.  Instead, ''Punch'' editor, Owen Seaman convinced him to become fulltime assistant editor of the magazine.
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Milne's work at ''The Granta'' had come to the attention of the leading British humor magazine ''Punch,'' where Milne was to become a contributor and later an assistant editor. Immediately following college graduation, Milne moved to London to write, living on a modest stipend from his father. After sixteen months, the money was nearly gone but he was beginning to earn a meager amount from articles submitted to newspapers and publications like ''Punch''.  ''St. James Gazette'' was initially his largest income source.  In fact, [[H.G. Wells]] suggested that a series of articles Milne had written for the ''Gazette'' could be the basis for a book.  This series became the beginnings of his first book, ''Lovers in London,'' published in 1905.  Later in 1905, Milne's work was appearing more regularly in ''Punch''.  His income was becoming more steady.  As the end of the year closed in, Milne planned to pull back from article writing to focus on a new book.  Instead, ''Punch'' editor, Owen Seaman convinced him to become full time assistant editor of the magazine.
  
 
Milne married Dorothy "Daphne" de Selincourt, goddaughter of Owen Seaman, in 1913.
 
Milne married Dorothy "Daphne" de Selincourt, goddaughter of Owen Seaman, in 1913.
  
Milne joined the British Army in [[World War I]] and served as an officer in the Royal Warwickshire Fusiliers Regiment. Later, after a debilitating illness, he served with the Royal Corps of Signals.  After the war, Milne wrote a denunciation of war titled ''Peace with Honor'' (1934), which he retracted somewhat with 1940's ''War with Honor''.   
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Milne joined the British Army in [[World War I]] and served as an officer in the Royal Warwickshire Fusiliers Regiment. Later, after a debilitating illness, he served with the Royal Corps of Signals.  After the war, Milne wrote a denunciation of war titled, ''Peace with Honor'' (1934), which he retracted somewhat with 1940's ''War with Honor''.   
  
 
Daphne and Alan's only son, Christopher Robin Milne, was born in 1920. In 1925, A. A. Milne bought a country home, Cotchford Farm, in Hartfield, East Sussex.  Milne's son, whom he called "Billy Moon" became his muse for many of the children's verses he composed, as well as the Winnie the Pooh books.  The woods surrounding Cotchford Farm were the model for 1000 Acre Woods described as Winnie the Pooh and friends' home in the well known stories.
 
Daphne and Alan's only son, Christopher Robin Milne, was born in 1920. In 1925, A. A. Milne bought a country home, Cotchford Farm, in Hartfield, East Sussex.  Milne's son, whom he called "Billy Moon" became his muse for many of the children's verses he composed, as well as the Winnie the Pooh books.  The woods surrounding Cotchford Farm were the model for 1000 Acre Woods described as Winnie the Pooh and friends' home in the well known stories.
  
Alan was a generous man.  He was a frequent contributor to the Royal Literary Fund, the Children's Country Holiday Fund and the Society of Authors Fund.  He also took great care to save enough money to support both his and Ken's family fully over time.
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Alan was a generous man.  He was a frequent contributor to the Royal Literary Fund, the Children's Country Holiday Fund, and the Society of Authors Fund.  He also took great care to save enough money to support both his and Ken's family fully over time.
  
 
In 1940, when tensions were building strongly in Europe regarding Hitler, the Milnes moved permanently to Cotchford Farm.  Away from the hubbub of the city, Alan and Daphne became the closest they had ever been.  Christopher was already a young man.
 
In 1940, when tensions were building strongly in Europe regarding Hitler, the Milnes moved permanently to Cotchford Farm.  Away from the hubbub of the city, Alan and Daphne became the closest they had ever been.  Christopher was already a young man.
  
During [[World War II]], Milne was Captain of the British Home Guard in Hartfield & Forest Row, insisting on being plain 'Mr Milne' to the members of his platoon.  Milne continued to write during the war.  He became one of the most prominent critics of English comic writer [[P.G. Wodehouse]], who was captured at his country home in [[France]] by the [[Nazism|Nazis]] and imprisoned for a year. Wodehouse made radio broadcasts about his internment, which were broadcast from Berlin. Although the lighthearted broadcasts made fun of the Germans, Milne accused Wodehouse of committing an act of near [[treason]] by cooperating with his country's enemy.  (Wodehouse got some revenge by creating fatuous parodies of the Christopher Robin poems in some of his later stories.)
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During [[World War II]], Milne was Captain of the British Home Guard in Hartfield & Forest Row, insisting on being plain "Mr. Milne" to the members of his platoon.  Milne continued to write during the war.  He became one of the most prominent critics of English comic writer [[P.G. Wodehouse]], who was captured at his country home in [[France]] by the [[Nazism|Nazis]] and imprisoned for a year. Wodehouse made radio broadcasts about his internment, which were broadcast from Berlin. Although the lighthearted broadcasts made fun of the Germans, Milne accused Wodehouse of committing an act of near [[treason]] by cooperating with his country's enemy.  (Wodehouse got some revenge by creating fatuous parodies of the Christopher Robin poems in some of his later stories.)
  
Milne retired to Cotchford Farm in 1952, after a stroke and brain surgery left him an invalid.  Although he was only expected to live another six weeks, he survived for more than three years.  Sadly, Christopher, who had grown distant from his parents, only visited very occasionally.  Milne died quietly on January 31, 1956.  A memorial service was held for him on February 10, 1956 at All Hallows-by-the-Tower in London.  This service was the last time Christopher saw his mother, though she lived another fifteen years.
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Milne retired to Cotchford Farm in 1952, after a stroke and brain surgery left him an invalid.  Although he was only expected to live another six weeks, he survived for more than three years.  Sadly, Christopher, who had grown distant from his parents, only visited very occasionally.  Milne died quietly on January 31, 1956.  A memorial service was held for him on February 10, 1956, at All Hallows-by-the-Tower in London.  This service was the last time Christopher saw his mother, though she lived another fifteen years.
  
 
== Literary career ==
 
== Literary career ==
Milne is most famous for his Pooh books about a boy named Christopher Robin, after his son, and various characters inspired by his son's stuffed animals, most notably the bear named Winnie the Pooh.  The source of the name is reputedly a [[Canada|Canadian]] black bear named Winnie (after [[Winnipeg, Manitoba|Winnipeg]]), that was used as a military mascot by the Royal Winnipeg Rifles, a Canadian Infantry Regiment in World War I, and left to London Zoo after the war. After its heroics On September 14, 1915, the bear was named 'Winnie the Pooh', years before Milne adopted it. E. H. Shepard illustrated the original Pooh books, using his own son's teddy, Growler ("a magnificent bear"), as the model. Christopher Robin Milne's own toys are now under glass in [[New York]].
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Milne is most famous for his Pooh books about a boy named Christopher Robin, after his son, and various characters inspired by his son's stuffed animals, most notably the bear named Winnie the Pooh.  The source of the name is reputedly a [[Canada|Canadian]] black bear named Winnie (after [[Winnipeg, Manitoba|Winnipeg]]), that was used as a military mascot by the Royal Winnipeg Rifles, a Canadian Infantry Regiment in World War I, and left to the [[London Zoo]] after the war. After its heroics On September 14, 1915, the bear was named Winnie the Pooh, years before Milne adopted it. [[E. H. Shepard]] illustrated the original Pooh books, using his own son's teddy, Growler ("a magnificent bear"), as the model. Christopher Robin Milne's own toys are now under glass in [[New York]].
  
Milne also wrote a number of poems, including ''Vespers'', ''They're Changing Guard at [[Buckingham Palace]]'', and ''King John's Christmas'', which were published in the books ''When We Were Very Young'' and ''Now We Are Six''. Several of Milnes's children's poems were set to music by the composer Harold Fraser-Simson. His poems have been parodied many times, including with the books ''When We Were Rather Older'' and ''Now We Are Sixty''.
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Milne also wrote a number of poems, including "Vespers," "They're Changing Guard at [[Buckingham Palace]]," and "King John's Christmas," which were published in the books, ''When We Were Very Young'' and ''Now We Are Six''. Several of Milnes's children's poems were set to music by the composer Harold Fraser-Simson. His poems have been parodied many times, including with the books ''When We Were Rather Older'' and ''Now We Are Sixty''.
  
 
The overwhelming success of his children's books was to become a source of considerable annoyance to Milne, whose self-avowed aim was to write whatever he pleased, and who had, until then, found a ready audience for each change of direction. He had freed pre-war ''Punch'' from its ponderous facetiousness. He had made a considerable reputation as a playwright (like his idol [[J. M. Barrie]]) on both sides of the Atlantic. He had produced a witty piece of detective writing in ''The Red House Mystery'' (although this was severely criticized by Raymond Chandler for the implausibility of its plot). Indeed, Milne's publisher was displeased when Milne announced his intention to write poems for children.  Milne had never lacked an audience.
 
The overwhelming success of his children's books was to become a source of considerable annoyance to Milne, whose self-avowed aim was to write whatever he pleased, and who had, until then, found a ready audience for each change of direction. He had freed pre-war ''Punch'' from its ponderous facetiousness. He had made a considerable reputation as a playwright (like his idol [[J. M. Barrie]]) on both sides of the Atlantic. He had produced a witty piece of detective writing in ''The Red House Mystery'' (although this was severely criticized by Raymond Chandler for the implausibility of its plot). Indeed, Milne's publisher was displeased when Milne announced his intention to write poems for children.  Milne had never lacked an audience.
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But once Milne had, in his own words, "said Goodbye to all that in 70,000 words" (the approximate length of the four children's books), he had no intention of producing a copy of a copy, given that one of the sources of inspiration, his son, was growing older.
 
But once Milne had, in his own words, "said Goodbye to all that in 70,000 words" (the approximate length of the four children's books), he had no intention of producing a copy of a copy, given that one of the sources of inspiration, his son, was growing older.
  
Milne's reception remained warmer in America than Britain.  He continued to publish novels and short stories, but by the late 1930s the audience for Milne's grown-up writing had largely vanished. Milne observed bitterly in his autobiography that a critic had said that the hero of his latest play ("God Help It") was simply "Christopher Robin grown up ... what an obsession with me children are become!"   
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Milne's reception remained warmer in America than Britain.  He continued to publish novels and short stories, but by the late 1930s, the audience for Milne's grown-up writing had largely vanished. Milne observed bitterly in his autobiography that a critic had said that the hero of his latest play (''God Help It'') was simply "Christopher Robin grown up what an obsession with me children are become!"   
  
Even his old literary home, ''Punch'', where the ''When We Were Very Young'' verses had first appeared, was ultimately to reject him, as Christopher Milne details in his autobiography ''The Enchanted Places''. Although Methuen continued to publish whatever Milne wrote, including the long poem 'The Norman Church' and an assembly of articles entitled ''Year In, Year Out'' (which Milne likened to a benefit night for the author).
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Even his old literary home, ''Punch,'' where the ''When We Were Very Young'' verses had first appeared, was ultimately to reject him, as Christopher Milne details in his autobiography, ''The Enchanted Places''. Although Methuen continued to publish whatever Milne wrote, including the long poem, ''The Norman Church'' and an assembly of articles entitled ''Year In, Year Out'' (which Milne likened to a benefit night for the author).
  
Milne also adapted Kenneth Grahame's novel ''The Wind in the Willows'' for the stage as ''Toad of Toad Hall''. The title was an implicit admission that some of the book, such as Chapter 7, ''The Piper at the Gates of Dawn'', could not survive translation to the theater. A special introduction written by Milne is included in some editions of Grahame's novel.
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Milne also adapted Kenneth Grahame's novel ''The Wind in the Willows'' for the stage as ''Toad of Toad Hall''. The title was an implicit admission that some of the book, such as Chapter 7, The Piper at the Gates of Dawn, could not survive translation to the theater. A special introduction written by Milne is included in some editions of Grahame's novel.
  
 
==Legacy==
 
==Legacy==
After Milne's death, his widow sold the rights to the Pooh characters to the [[Walt Disney]] Company in 1961.  Disney has made a number of popular Pooh cartoon movies, as well as a large amount of Pooh-related merchandise. Unfortunately, Daphne destroyed her husband's papers.  But the Winnie the Pooh books as well as the books of children's verse, ''When We Were Very Young'' and ''Now We Are Six'' continue to be best sellers.  These light hearted books are perennial favorites for bedtime reading.  The whimsical characters and wonderful rhyme tickle the fancy and the funny bone of children of all ages.  Milne's play, ''Toad of Toad Hall'' is a Christmas favorite.
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After Milne's death, his widow sold the rights to the Pooh characters to the [[Walt Disney]] Company in 1961.  Disney has made a number of popular Pooh cartoon movies, as well as a large amount of Pooh-related merchandise. Unfortunately, Daphne destroyed her husband's papers.  But the Winnie the Pooh books, as well as the books of children's verse, "When We Were Very Young" and "Now We Are Six," continue to be best sellers.  These light hearted books are perennial favorites for bedtime reading.  The whimsical characters and wonderful rhyme tickle the fancy and the funny bone of children of all ages.  Milne's play, ''Toad of Toad Hall'' is a Christmas favorite.
  
 
Eventually Christopher Robin Milne reconciled with his father's career and literary contribution.  He became an author in his own right; penning ''The Enchanted Places'' and ''The Path Through the Trees''.
 
Eventually Christopher Robin Milne reconciled with his father's career and literary contribution.  He became an author in his own right; penning ''The Enchanted Places'' and ''The Path Through the Trees''.
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==Works==
 
==Works==
 
===Novels===
 
===Novels===
* ''Lovers in London'', (1905) (Some consider this more of a [[short story]] collection; Milne didn't like it and considered ''The Day's Play'' as his first book)
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* ''Lovers in London'' (1905) (Some consider this more of a [[short story]] collection; Milne didn't like it and considered ''The Day's Play'' as his first book)
* ''Once on a Time'', (1917) [a fairytale with an adult slant]
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* ''Once on a Time'' (1917) [a fairytale with an adult slant]
* ''Mr. Pim'', (1921)
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* ''Mr. Pim'' (1921)
* ''The Red House Mystery'', (1921)
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* ''The Red House Mystery'' (1921)
* ''Two People'', (1931) (Inside jacket claims this is Milne's first attempt at a novel.)
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* ''Two People'' (1931) (Inside jacket claims this is Milne's first attempt at a novel.)
* ''Four Days' Wonder'', (1933)
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* ''Four Days' Wonder'' (1933)
* ''Chloe Marr'', (1946)
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* ''Chloe Marr'' (1946)
  
 
===Non-Fiction===
 
===Non-Fiction===
* ''When I Was Very Young'', (1930) (illustrated by E. H. Shepard)
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* ''When I Was Very Young'' (1930) (illustrated by E. H. Shepard)
* ''Peace With Honor'', (1934)
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* ''Peace With Honor'' (1934)
* ''It's Too Late Now: the autobiography of a writer'', (1939)
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* ''It's Too Late Now: The Autobiography of a Writer'' (1939)
* ''War With Honor'', (1940)
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* ''War With Honor'' (1940)
* ''Year In, Year Out'', (1952) (illustrated by E. H. Shepard)
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* ''Year In, Year Out'' (1952) (illustrated by E. H. Shepard)
  
 
Punch articles:
 
Punch articles:
* ''The Day's Play'', (1910)
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* "The Day's Play" (1910)
* ''Once a Week'', (1914)
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* "Once a Week" (1914)
* ''The Holiday Round'', (1912)
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* "The Holiday Round" (1912)
* ''The Sunny Side'', (1921)
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* "The Sunny Side" (1921)
* ''Those Were the Days'', (1929) [selection of Punch pieces from the above four books]  
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* "Those Were the Days" (1929) [selection of Punch pieces from the above four books]  
  
 
Selections of newspaper articles and introductions to books by others:
 
Selections of newspaper articles and introductions to books by others:
* ''Not That It Matters'', (1920)
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* ''Not That It Matters'' (1920)
* ''By Way of Introduction'', (1929)
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* ''By Way of Introduction'' (1929)
  
===Story Collections for Children===
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===Story collections for children===
* ''Gallery of Children'', (1925)
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* ''Gallery of Children'' (1925)
* ''Winnie-the-Pooh'', (1926) (illustrated by E. H. Shepard)
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* ''Winnie-the-Pooh'' (1926) (illustrated by E. H. Shepard)
* ''The House at Pooh Corner'', (1928) (illustrated by E. H. Shepard)
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* ''The House at Pooh Corner'' (1928) (illustrated by E. H. Shepard)
* Short Stories
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* ''Short Stories''
* A Table by the Band
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* ''A Table by the Band''
  
 
===Poetry===
 
===Poetry===
 
For the Luncheon Interval [poems from Punch]  
 
For the Luncheon Interval [poems from Punch]  
* ''When We Were Very Young'', (1924) (illustrated by E. H. Shepard)
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* ''When We Were Very Young'' (1924) (illustrated by E. H. Shepard)
* ''Now We Are Six'', (1927) (illustrated by E. H. Shepard)
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* ''Now We Are Six'' (1927) (illustrated by E. H. Shepard)
* ''Behind the Lines'', (1940)
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* ''Behind the Lines'' (1940)
* ''The Norman Church'', (1948)
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* ''The Norman Church'' (1948)
  
 
===Plays===
 
===Plays===
 
Milne wrote over 25 plays including:
 
Milne wrote over 25 plays including:
* ''Wurzel-Flummery'', (1917)
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* ''Wurzel-Flummery'' (1917)
* ''Belinda'', (1918)
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* ''Belinda'' (1918)
* ''The Boy Comes Home'', (1918)
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* ''The Boy Comes Home'' (1918)
* ''Make-Believe'', (1918) [a play for children]  
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* ''Make-Believe'' (1918) [a play for children]  
* ''The Camberley Triangle'', (1919)
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* ''The Camberley Triangle'' (1919)
* ''Mr. Pim Passes By'', (1919)
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* ''Mr. Pim Passes By'' (1919)
* ''The Red Feathers'', (1920)
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* ''The Red Feathers'' (1920)
* ''The Romantic Age'', (1920)
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* ''The Romantic Age'' (1920)
* ''The Stepmother'', (1920)
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* ''The Stepmother'' (1920)
* ''The Truth about Blayds'', (1920)
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* ''The Truth about Blayds'' (1920)
* ''The Dover Road'', (1921)
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* ''The Dover Road'' (1921)
* ''The Lucky One'', (1922)
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* ''The Lucky One'' (1922)
* ''The Artist: a duologue'', (1923)
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* ''The Artist: A Duologue'' (1923)
* ''Give Me Yesterday'', (1923) [aka Success in the UK]
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* ''Give Me Yesterday'' (1923) (aka ''Success in the UK'')
* ''The Great Broxopp'', (1923)
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* ''The Great Broxopp'' (1923)
* ''Ariadne'', (1924)
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* ''Ariadne'' (1924)
* ''The Man in the Bowler Hat: a terribly exciting affair," (1924)
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* ''The Man in the Bowler Hat: A Terribly Exciting Affair'' (1924)
* ''To Have the Honor'', (1924)
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* ''To Have the Honor'' (1924)
* ''Portrait of a Gentleman in Slippers'', (1926)
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* ''Portrait of a Gentleman in Slippers'' (1926)
* ''Success'', (1926)
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* ''Success'' (1926)
* ''Miss Marlow at Play'', (1927)
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* ''Miss Marlow at Play'' (1927)
* ''The Fourth Wall or The Perfect Alibi'', (1928)
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* ''The Fourth Wall or The Perfect Alibi'' (1928)
* ''The Ivory Door'', (1929)
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* ''The Ivory Door'' (1929)
* ''Toad of Toad Hall'', (1929) (Adaptation of The Wind in the Willows)
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* ''Toad of Toad Hall'' (1929) (Adaptation of The Wind in the Willows)
* ''Michael and Mary'', (1930)
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* ''Michael and Mary'' (1930)
* ''Other People's Lives'', (1933) [aka They Don't Mean Any Harm]
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* ''Other People's Lives'' (1933) (aka ''They Don't Mean Any Harm'')
* ''Miss Elizabeth Bennett'' (based on Pride and Prejudice?, [1936])
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* ''Miss Elizabeth Bennett'' (1936) (based on ''Pride and Prejudice?'')
* ''Sarah Simple'', (1937)
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* ''Sarah Simple'' (1937)
* ''Gentleman Unknown'', (1938)
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* ''Gentleman Unknown'' (1938)
* ''The General Takes Off His Helmet'' (1939) in ''The Queen's Book of the Red Cross''
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* ''The General Takes Off His Helmet'' (1939), in ''The Queen's Book of the Red Cross''
 
* ''The Ugly Duckling'' (1946)
 
* ''The Ugly Duckling'' (1946)
* ''Before the Flood'', (1951)
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* ''Before the Flood'' (1951)
  
 
== Films ==
 
== Films ==
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==Books about Pooh==
 
==Books about Pooh==
*Crews, Frederick, ''The Pooh Perplex'', Chicago & London, University of Chicago Press, 2003 (1st ed. 1963) ISBN 0-226-12058-9  
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*Crews, Frederick. ''The Pooh Perplex.'' Chicago & London, University of Chicago Press, 2003 (1st ed. 1963). ISBN 0-226-12058-9  
*Crews, Frederick, ''Postmodern Pooh'', New York, North Point Press, 2001 ISBN 0-86547-654-3  
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*Crews, Frederick. ''Postmodern Pooh.'' New York, North Point Press, 2001. ISBN 0-86547-654-3  
*Hoff, Benjamin, ''The Tao of Pooh'', New York, Penguin, 1983 ISBN 0-14-006747-7  
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*Hoff, Benjamin. ''The Tao of Pooh.'' New York, Penguin, 1983. ISBN 0-14-006747-7  
*Hoff, Benjamin, ''The Te of Piglet'', New York, Dutton Adult, 1992 ISBN 0-525-93496-0  
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*Hoff, Benjamin. ''The Te of Piglet''. New York, Dutton Adult, 1992. ISBN 0-525-93496-0  
  
 
==References==
 
==References==
*Christopher Robin and A. R. Melrose (ed.), ''Beyond the World of Pooh: Selections from the Memoirs of Christopher Milne'', New York, Dutton, 1998 ISBN 0-525-45888-3  
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*Milne, Christopher Robin and A. R. Melrose, eds ''Beyond the World of Pooh: Selections from the Memoirs of Christopher Milne.'' New York: Dutton, 1998. ISBN 0-525-45888-3  
*Thwaite, Ann, ''A. A. Milne: His Life'', New York, Random House, 1990 ISBN 0-394-58724-3  
+
*Thwaite, Ann. ''A. A. Milne: His Life.'' New York: Random House, 1990. ISBN 0-394-58724-3  
*Tyerman Williams, John, ''Pooh and the Philosophers: In Which It Is Shown That All of Western Philosophy Is Merely a Preamble to Winnie-The-Pooh'', London, Methuen, 1995 ISBN 0-525-45520-5  
+
*Williams, John Tyerman. ''Pooh and the Philosophers: In Which It Is Shown That All of Western Philosophy Is Merely a Preamble to Winnie-The-Pooh.'' London: Methuen, 1995. ISBN 0-525-45520-5  
*Wullschlager, Jackie, ''Inventing Wonderland: The Lives and Fantasies of Lewis Carroll, Edward Lear, J. M. Barrie, Kenneth Grahame and A. A. Milne'', New York & Detroit, The Free Press, 1996 ISBN 0-684-82286-5
+
*Wullschlager, Jackie. ''Inventing Wonderland: The Lives and Fantasies of Lewis Carroll, Edward Lear, J. M. Barrie, Kenneth Grahame and A. A. Milne.'' New York: The Free Press, 1996. ISBN 0-684-82286-5
*Thwaite, Ann. 2004. ''Oxford Dictionary of National Biography: Milne, Alan Alexander''. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press. ISBN 019861411X.
+
*Thwaite, Ann. 2004. ''Oxford Dictionary of National Biography: Milne, Alan Alexander''. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press. ISBN 019861411X
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Revision as of 14:24, 2 January 2008


A. A. Milne
200px
Born: January 18 1882(1882-01-18)
Hampstead, London, England
Died: January 31 1956 (aged 74)
Hartfield, Sussex, England
Occupation(s): Novelist, Playwright, Poet
Magnum opus: Winnie-the-Pooh

Alan Alexander Milne (January 18, 1882 – January 31, 1956), also known as A. A. Milne, was a prolific English author of books, plays, and poems. He is best known for his books about the teddy bear, Winnie the Pooh and for various children's poems. Milne was a noted writer, primarily as a playwright, before the huge success of Pooh overshadowed all his previous work. The children's books by Milne withstand the test of time. They continue to be best sellers and favorites of children of all ages.

Milne's generosity lives beyond him. Royalties from the Pooh characters help to fund an artist-in-residence program for professional authors to be placed at universities in United Kingdom. The program is operated by one of Milne's favorite charities, the Royal Literary Fund.

Life

Milne was born to John Vine Milne and Sarah Maria Heginbotham in Hampstead, London, England. He was the youngest of three boys. Young Alan grew up at Henley House School, 6/7 Mortimer Road, Kilburn, London, a small independent school run by his father. One of his teachers at the school was H.G. Wells.

While growing up, Alan was closer to his father than his mother. His closest family relationship was with his brother Ken. Alan and Ken remained best friends until Ken died of tuberculosis in 1929. In contrast, Alan and his brother Barry were not close. In adulthood, Alan became increasingly alienated from Barry. In spite of the distance between Alan and Barry, Alan was a very kind and supportive friend to Barry's wife, Connie.

Milne attended Westminster School and Trinity College, Cambridge, where he studied on a mathematics scholarship. Milne's motivation to attend Cambridge was his desire to work on the humorist publication, The Granta. While at Cambridge, he edited and wrote for The Granta, a student magazine. He collaborated with his brother Kenneth on articles, which appeared under the initials, AKM. Eventually, Alan wrote solo and also fulfilled his goal of becoming editor of The Granta. During Alan's years at The Granta, readership increased significantly. His greatest pleasure and satisfaction came through honing his skill at crafting light verse. In 1903, Milne graduated from Cambridge with a degree in mathematics.

Milne's work at The Granta had come to the attention of the leading British humor magazine Punch, where Milne was to become a contributor and later an assistant editor. Immediately following college graduation, Milne moved to London to write, living on a modest stipend from his father. After sixteen months, the money was nearly gone but he was beginning to earn a meager amount from articles submitted to newspapers and publications like Punch. St. James Gazette was initially his largest income source. In fact, H.G. Wells suggested that a series of articles Milne had written for the Gazette could be the basis for a book. This series became the beginnings of his first book, Lovers in London, published in 1905. Later in 1905, Milne's work was appearing more regularly in Punch. His income was becoming more steady. As the end of the year closed in, Milne planned to pull back from article writing to focus on a new book. Instead, Punch editor, Owen Seaman convinced him to become full time assistant editor of the magazine.

Milne married Dorothy "Daphne" de Selincourt, goddaughter of Owen Seaman, in 1913.

Milne joined the British Army in World War I and served as an officer in the Royal Warwickshire Fusiliers Regiment. Later, after a debilitating illness, he served with the Royal Corps of Signals. After the war, Milne wrote a denunciation of war titled, Peace with Honor (1934), which he retracted somewhat with 1940's War with Honor.

Daphne and Alan's only son, Christopher Robin Milne, was born in 1920. In 1925, A. A. Milne bought a country home, Cotchford Farm, in Hartfield, East Sussex. Milne's son, whom he called "Billy Moon" became his muse for many of the children's verses he composed, as well as the Winnie the Pooh books. The woods surrounding Cotchford Farm were the model for 1000 Acre Woods described as Winnie the Pooh and friends' home in the well known stories.

Alan was a generous man. He was a frequent contributor to the Royal Literary Fund, the Children's Country Holiday Fund, and the Society of Authors Fund. He also took great care to save enough money to support both his and Ken's family fully over time.

In 1940, when tensions were building strongly in Europe regarding Hitler, the Milnes moved permanently to Cotchford Farm. Away from the hubbub of the city, Alan and Daphne became the closest they had ever been. Christopher was already a young man.

During World War II, Milne was Captain of the British Home Guard in Hartfield & Forest Row, insisting on being plain "Mr. Milne" to the members of his platoon. Milne continued to write during the war. He became one of the most prominent critics of English comic writer P.G. Wodehouse, who was captured at his country home in France by the Nazis and imprisoned for a year. Wodehouse made radio broadcasts about his internment, which were broadcast from Berlin. Although the lighthearted broadcasts made fun of the Germans, Milne accused Wodehouse of committing an act of near treason by cooperating with his country's enemy. (Wodehouse got some revenge by creating fatuous parodies of the Christopher Robin poems in some of his later stories.)

Milne retired to Cotchford Farm in 1952, after a stroke and brain surgery left him an invalid. Although he was only expected to live another six weeks, he survived for more than three years. Sadly, Christopher, who had grown distant from his parents, only visited very occasionally. Milne died quietly on January 31, 1956. A memorial service was held for him on February 10, 1956, at All Hallows-by-the-Tower in London. This service was the last time Christopher saw his mother, though she lived another fifteen years.

Literary career

Milne is most famous for his Pooh books about a boy named Christopher Robin, after his son, and various characters inspired by his son's stuffed animals, most notably the bear named Winnie the Pooh. The source of the name is reputedly a Canadian black bear named Winnie (after Winnipeg), that was used as a military mascot by the Royal Winnipeg Rifles, a Canadian Infantry Regiment in World War I, and left to the London Zoo after the war. After its heroics On September 14, 1915, the bear was named Winnie the Pooh, years before Milne adopted it. E. H. Shepard illustrated the original Pooh books, using his own son's teddy, Growler ("a magnificent bear"), as the model. Christopher Robin Milne's own toys are now under glass in New York.

Milne also wrote a number of poems, including "Vespers," "They're Changing Guard at Buckingham Palace," and "King John's Christmas," which were published in the books, When We Were Very Young and Now We Are Six. Several of Milnes's children's poems were set to music by the composer Harold Fraser-Simson. His poems have been parodied many times, including with the books When We Were Rather Older and Now We Are Sixty.

The overwhelming success of his children's books was to become a source of considerable annoyance to Milne, whose self-avowed aim was to write whatever he pleased, and who had, until then, found a ready audience for each change of direction. He had freed pre-war Punch from its ponderous facetiousness. He had made a considerable reputation as a playwright (like his idol J. M. Barrie) on both sides of the Atlantic. He had produced a witty piece of detective writing in The Red House Mystery (although this was severely criticized by Raymond Chandler for the implausibility of its plot). Indeed, Milne's publisher was displeased when Milne announced his intention to write poems for children. Milne had never lacked an audience.

But once Milne had, in his own words, "said Goodbye to all that in 70,000 words" (the approximate length of the four children's books), he had no intention of producing a copy of a copy, given that one of the sources of inspiration, his son, was growing older.

Milne's reception remained warmer in America than Britain. He continued to publish novels and short stories, but by the late 1930s, the audience for Milne's grown-up writing had largely vanished. Milne observed bitterly in his autobiography that a critic had said that the hero of his latest play (God Help It) was simply "Christopher Robin grown up … what an obsession with me children are become!"

Even his old literary home, Punch, where the When We Were Very Young verses had first appeared, was ultimately to reject him, as Christopher Milne details in his autobiography, The Enchanted Places. Although Methuen continued to publish whatever Milne wrote, including the long poem, The Norman Church and an assembly of articles entitled Year In, Year Out (which Milne likened to a benefit night for the author).

Milne also adapted Kenneth Grahame's novel The Wind in the Willows for the stage as Toad of Toad Hall. The title was an implicit admission that some of the book, such as Chapter 7, The Piper at the Gates of Dawn, could not survive translation to the theater. A special introduction written by Milne is included in some editions of Grahame's novel.

Legacy

After Milne's death, his widow sold the rights to the Pooh characters to the Walt Disney Company in 1961. Disney has made a number of popular Pooh cartoon movies, as well as a large amount of Pooh-related merchandise. Unfortunately, Daphne destroyed her husband's papers. But the Winnie the Pooh books, as well as the books of children's verse, "When We Were Very Young" and "Now We Are Six," continue to be best sellers. These light hearted books are perennial favorites for bedtime reading. The whimsical characters and wonderful rhyme tickle the fancy and the funny bone of children of all ages. Milne's play, Toad of Toad Hall is a Christmas favorite.

Eventually Christopher Robin Milne reconciled with his father's career and literary contribution. He became an author in his own right; penning The Enchanted Places and The Path Through the Trees.

Royalties from the Pooh characters paid by Disney to the Royal Literary Fund, part-owner of the Pooh copyright, provide the income used to run the Fund's Fellowship Scheme, placing professional writers in UK universities.

Works

Novels

  • Lovers in London (1905) (Some consider this more of a short story collection; Milne didn't like it and considered The Day's Play as his first book)
  • Once on a Time (1917) [a fairytale with an adult slant]
  • Mr. Pim (1921)
  • The Red House Mystery (1921)
  • Two People (1931) (Inside jacket claims this is Milne's first attempt at a novel.)
  • Four Days' Wonder (1933)
  • Chloe Marr (1946)

Non-Fiction

  • When I Was Very Young (1930) (illustrated by E. H. Shepard)
  • Peace With Honor (1934)
  • It's Too Late Now: The Autobiography of a Writer (1939)
  • War With Honor (1940)
  • Year In, Year Out (1952) (illustrated by E. H. Shepard)

Punch articles:

  • "The Day's Play" (1910)
  • "Once a Week" (1914)
  • "The Holiday Round" (1912)
  • "The Sunny Side" (1921)
  • "Those Were the Days" (1929) [selection of Punch pieces from the above four books]

Selections of newspaper articles and introductions to books by others:

  • Not That It Matters (1920)
  • By Way of Introduction (1929)

Story collections for children

  • Gallery of Children (1925)
  • Winnie-the-Pooh (1926) (illustrated by E. H. Shepard)
  • The House at Pooh Corner (1928) (illustrated by E. H. Shepard)
  • Short Stories
  • A Table by the Band

Poetry

For the Luncheon Interval [poems from Punch]

  • When We Were Very Young (1924) (illustrated by E. H. Shepard)
  • Now We Are Six (1927) (illustrated by E. H. Shepard)
  • Behind the Lines (1940)
  • The Norman Church (1948)

Plays

Milne wrote over 25 plays including:

  • Wurzel-Flummery (1917)
  • Belinda (1918)
  • The Boy Comes Home (1918)
  • Make-Believe (1918) [a play for children]
  • The Camberley Triangle (1919)
  • Mr. Pim Passes By (1919)
  • The Red Feathers (1920)
  • The Romantic Age (1920)
  • The Stepmother (1920)
  • The Truth about Blayds (1920)
  • The Dover Road (1921)
  • The Lucky One (1922)
  • The Artist: A Duologue (1923)
  • Give Me Yesterday (1923) (aka Success in the UK)
  • The Great Broxopp (1923)
  • Ariadne (1924)
  • The Man in the Bowler Hat: A Terribly Exciting Affair (1924)
  • To Have the Honor (1924)
  • Portrait of a Gentleman in Slippers (1926)
  • Success (1926)
  • Miss Marlow at Play (1927)
  • The Fourth Wall or The Perfect Alibi (1928)
  • The Ivory Door (1929)
  • Toad of Toad Hall (1929) (Adaptation of The Wind in the Willows)
  • Michael and Mary (1930)
  • Other People's Lives (1933) (aka They Don't Mean Any Harm)
  • Miss Elizabeth Bennett (1936) (based on Pride and Prejudice?)
  • Sarah Simple (1937)
  • Gentleman Unknown (1938)
  • The General Takes Off His Helmet (1939), in The Queen's Book of the Red Cross
  • The Ugly Duckling (1946)
  • Before the Flood (1951)

Films

  • The Fourth Wall was made into a film called The Perfect Alibi
  • Michael and Mary was filmed in 1932

Books about Pooh

  • Crews, Frederick. The Pooh Perplex. Chicago & London, University of Chicago Press, 2003 (1st ed. 1963). ISBN 0-226-12058-9
  • Crews, Frederick. Postmodern Pooh. New York, North Point Press, 2001. ISBN 0-86547-654-3
  • Hoff, Benjamin. The Tao of Pooh. New York, Penguin, 1983. ISBN 0-14-006747-7
  • Hoff, Benjamin. The Te of Piglet. New York, Dutton Adult, 1992. ISBN 0-525-93496-0

References
ISBN links support NWE through referral fees

  • Milne, Christopher Robin and A. R. Melrose, eds Beyond the World of Pooh: Selections from the Memoirs of Christopher Milne. New York: Dutton, 1998. ISBN 0-525-45888-3
  • Thwaite, Ann. A. A. Milne: His Life. New York: Random House, 1990. ISBN 0-394-58724-3
  • Williams, John Tyerman. Pooh and the Philosophers: In Which It Is Shown That All of Western Philosophy Is Merely a Preamble to Winnie-The-Pooh. London: Methuen, 1995. ISBN 0-525-45520-5
  • Wullschlager, Jackie. Inventing Wonderland: The Lives and Fantasies of Lewis Carroll, Edward Lear, J. M. Barrie, Kenneth Grahame and A. A. Milne. New York: The Free Press, 1996. ISBN 0-684-82286-5
  • Thwaite, Ann. 2004. Oxford Dictionary of National Biography: Milne, Alan Alexander. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press. ISBN 019861411X

External links

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