Today in 1882 world renowned author and poet, AA Milne, was born in London. Most famous for creating the residents of Hundred Acre Wood, led by Winnie the Pooh, AA Milne's stories have been a central part of children's fiction for generations.
Beyond children's literature, Milne was also penned adult novels, non-fiction, newspaper articles, poetry, and plays. He even turned his hand to early screenwriting, with four of his stories being filmed as early as 1920.
But his most famous work remains Winnie the Pooh, who's inspiration came from his son Christopher Robin and his favourite Teddy Bear. The setting for the stories were drawn from Ashdown Forest in East Sussex, where Milne and his son would go walking together. All the characters, such as Eeyore, Piglet and Tigger, were Christopher Robin's stuffed toys as a child.
Winnie the Pooh made his first appearance in a poem entitled 'Teddy Bear' in Punch in February 1924, with the first book appearing two years later.
Milne served in both World Wars; in France during the First World War and in the Home Guard during the Second. He contributed an article to Overseas in August 1918, entitled 'Blighty', which depicted his time in the trenches. Read the full article below.
