Before Paddington Bear became a global icon, his creator survived a wartime building collapse.
In short: Michael Bond, the English author behind the world-famous bear from darkest Peru, led a life as varied as his stories. From surviving a deadly 1943 air raid to working as a BBC cameraman, Bond’s path to literary success was unconventional, eventually leading to over 35 million books sold worldwide.
Born in 1926, Michael Bond grew up in Reading, where he developed a lifelong fascination with trains. His early career was interrupted by the Second World War. In February 1943, while working as an engineer's assistant, he narrowly escaped death when his workplace was destroyed during an air raid that killed 41 people. Following a brief, unsuccessful stint in the Royal Air Force, he served in the Middlesex Regiment until 1947.
Bond’s writing career began in Cairo in 1945, but it was his role as a BBC television cameraman that eventually intersected with his literary ambitions. In 1958, his debut, A Bear Called Paddington, was published after an editor at Collins discovered his manuscript. The character, inspired by the station Bond frequented as a child, became a cultural phenomenon. By 1965, the success of the series allowed him to transition into full-time writing.
Beyond the marmalade-loving bear, Bond was a prolific creator. He wrote stories about a pet guinea pig named Olga da Polga and authored culinary mysteries featuring Monsieur Pamplemousse. His influence extended to television, where he created series like The Herbs. Bond was appointed an OBE in 1997 and a CBE in 2015 for his contributions to children's literature.
Bond remained active until his death in 2017 at age 91. His legacy is cemented not only by the millions of books sold across 40 languages but also by his final resting place in Paddington Old Cemetery. His gravestone bears a poignant tribute to his most famous character: 'Please look after this bear. Thank you.'
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Michael Bond
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