Moray Williams, Ursula 1911-2006

OBITUARY NOTICE—

See index for SATA sketch: Born April 19, 1911, in Petersfield, Hampshire, England; died October 17, 2006. Illustrator and author. Moray Williams was a prolific author and illustrator of children's books such as 1938's Adventures of the Little Wooden Horse. Benefiting from an idyllic childhood spent in a mansion near Southampton, she lived comfortably with her twin sister, Barbara; her memories of her early life would greatly influence her later writings. After attending the Winchester School of Art from 1928 to 1929, she decided she was more interested in writing than art and left to pursue her career. Initially illustrating her own books, such as Jean-Pierre (1931), The Three Toymakers (1945), The Binklebys at Home (1951), and Golden Horse with a Silver Tail (1957), Moray Williams later worked closely with other artists, such as Edward Ardizzone, Faith Jacques, Shirley Hughes, and Glenys Ambrus, and published actively through the late 1980s. Among her other titles are Gobbolino the Witch's Cat (1942), A Picnic with the Aunts (1972), and Grandma and the Ghowlies (1986). Refusing to follow popular literary trends in children's literature, Moray Williams indulged in a style that some critics described as quaint and old fashioned, though in a flattering way. She remained faithful to creating simple tales that re- flected back on her happy memories, whether she was writing fantasy, history, humor, or in any other genre. Also the author of a number of plays for children, Moray Williams was active in promoting education and literacy. She organized children's writing competitions, was a leader in local schools, and was a former president of the Women's Royal British Legion.

OBITUARIES AND OTHER SOURCES:

PERIODICALS

Times (London, England), December 27, 2006, p. 58.