Kathleen Hale
Encyclopedia
Kathleen Hale was a British
artist, illustrator, and children's author. She is best remembered for her series of books about Orlando the Marmalade Cat
.
Kathleen Hale was born in Broughton
, Salford, Lancashire
and was brought up in a suburb of Manchester
. Her childhood was far from idyllic: her father died when she was very young and she was forced to endure long periods of separation from her mother. This, along with the frustrations of an unexpressed artistic talent, produced a rebellious reaction in the young girl's naturally ebullient nature. However, her talent as an artist was recognised at school by a sympathetic headmistress at Manchester High School for Girls
and she went on to attend art courses in Manchester and at the University College, Reading
, where she was taught by Professor Allen W. Seaby.
In 1917, Kathleen moved to London to make a life for herself as an artist. She worked for some time as Augustus John
's secretary whilst developing a wide circle of friends in the artistic community, such as Vanessa Bell
and Duncan Grant
. During the 1920s she earned a living as an illustrator, accepting commissions for book jackets as well as selling her own drawings.
She married Douglas McClean, a young doctor working in medical research. They settled in Hertfordshire
where they could bring up their two young sons and entertain their friends. She created Orlando and his world to entertain her children at bedtime. Orlando The Marmalade Cat 'with eyes like twin gooseberries' was one of the classic children's book characters of the 1940s and 1950s. The stories are known for their quirky wit and extravagant illustrations. They combine adventure with friendship and family life. As the creator of Orlando, Kathleen was awarded the OBE
in 1976.
Kathleen Hale died on 26 January 2000 at 101 years of age.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
artist, illustrator, and children's author. She is best remembered for her series of books about Orlando the Marmalade Cat
Orlando (The Marmalade Cat)
Orlando is the eponymous hero of a series of 19 illustrated children's books written by Kathleen Hale between 1938 and 1972 by various publishers including Country Life....
.
Kathleen Hale was born in Broughton
Broughton, Greater Manchester
Broughton is an inner city area of Salford, in Greater Manchester, England. It lies on the east bank of the River Irwell and A56 road, in the northeastern part of the City of Salford, north-northwest of Manchester city centre and south of Prestwich. Broughton consists of Broughton Park, Higher...
, Salford, Lancashire
Lancashire
Lancashire is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in the North West of England. It takes its name from the city of Lancaster, and is sometimes known as the County of Lancaster. Although Lancaster is still considered to be the county town, Lancashire County Council is based in Preston...
and was brought up in a suburb of Manchester
Manchester
Manchester is a city and metropolitan borough in Greater Manchester, England. According to the Office for National Statistics, the 2010 mid-year population estimate for Manchester was 498,800. Manchester lies within one of the UK's largest metropolitan areas, the metropolitan county of Greater...
. Her childhood was far from idyllic: her father died when she was very young and she was forced to endure long periods of separation from her mother. This, along with the frustrations of an unexpressed artistic talent, produced a rebellious reaction in the young girl's naturally ebullient nature. However, her talent as an artist was recognised at school by a sympathetic headmistress at Manchester High School for Girls
Manchester High School for Girls
Manchester High School for Girls is an independent daytime school for girls and a member of the Girls School Association. It is situated in Fallowfield, Manchester, United Kingdom...
and she went on to attend art courses in Manchester and at the University College, Reading
University of Reading
The University of Reading is a university in the English town of Reading, Berkshire. The University was established in 1892 as University College, Reading and received its Royal Charter in 1926. It is based on several campuses in, and around, the town of Reading.The University has a long tradition...
, where she was taught by Professor Allen W. Seaby.
In 1917, Kathleen moved to London to make a life for herself as an artist. She worked for some time as Augustus John
Augustus John
Augustus Edwin John OM, RA, was a Welsh painter, draughtsman, and etcher. For a short time around 1910, he was an important exponent of Post-Impressionism in the United Kingdom....
's secretary whilst developing a wide circle of friends in the artistic community, such as Vanessa Bell
Vanessa Bell
Vanessa Bell was an English painter and interior designer, a member of the Bloomsbury group, and the sister of Virginia Woolf.- Biography and art :...
and Duncan Grant
Duncan Grant
Duncan James Corrowr Grant was a British painter and designer of textiles, potterty and theatre sets and costumes...
. During the 1920s she earned a living as an illustrator, accepting commissions for book jackets as well as selling her own drawings.
She married Douglas McClean, a young doctor working in medical research. They settled in Hertfordshire
Hertfordshire
Hertfordshire is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in the East region of England. The county town is Hertford.The county is one of the Home Counties and lies inland, bordered by Greater London , Buckinghamshire , Bedfordshire , Cambridgeshire and...
where they could bring up their two young sons and entertain their friends. She created Orlando and his world to entertain her children at bedtime. Orlando The Marmalade Cat 'with eyes like twin gooseberries' was one of the classic children's book characters of the 1940s and 1950s. The stories are known for their quirky wit and extravagant illustrations. They combine adventure with friendship and family life. As the creator of Orlando, Kathleen was awarded the OBE
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
in 1976.
Kathleen Hale died on 26 January 2000 at 101 years of age.