A.A. Milne

Who Was A.A. Milne?

A.A. Milne, born Alan Alexander Milne on January 18, 1882, in London, England, was a distinguished novelist, poet, and playwright. After attending Trinity College at the University of Cambridge, Milne began his writing career, contributing to literary magazines such as Granta and Punch. He achieved widespread acclaim in the 1920s, particularly for his beloved children’s works, including the poetry collections When We Were Young and Now We Are Six, as well as the classic stories featuring the endearing bear, Winnie-the-Pooh, and his woodland friends.

Early Life and Education

Raised in London alongside his two older brothers, Milne was the son of Sarah Marie (née Heginbotham) and John Vine Milne, the headmaster of a private school, Henley House. Milne received his early education at Westminster School before pursuing higher studies at Trinity College, Cambridge. While at Cambridge, he focused on mathematics and engaged in writing and editing for the student magazine Granta. Following his graduation in 1903, Milne recognized his true calling as a writer and relocated to London, where he began contributing to Punch in 1906. His humorous essays and poetry found a platform in the magazine until 1914.

Wartime Service and Literary Success

Although a pacifist, Milne enlisted in the Royal Warwickshire Regiment during World War I in 1915 and later served in the Royal Corps of Signals. During his military service, he wrote his first play, a one-act farce titled Wurzel-Flummery. After the war, Milne found significant success as a playwright, with comedies such as Mr. Pim Passes By (1921) and The Dover Road (1921) receiving critical acclaim and popular recognition. Additionally, he authored the detective novel The Red House Mystery (1922) and adapted Kenneth Grahame’s classic children’s tale The Wind in the Willows into a stage production titled Toad of Toad Hall in 1929.

Milne’s literary contributions continue to resonate with readers around the world, making him a cherished figure in children’s literature.

Poems and ‘Winnie-the-Pooh’

In 1924, A.A. Milne harnessed his longstanding talent for light verse to create a collection of children’s poems titled When We Were Very Young. This anthology featured delightful pieces such as “Buckingham Palace” and “Halfway Down,” inspired by the everyday activities of his four-year-old son. Three years later, in 1927, Milne published a second volume for young readers, entitled Now We Are Six.

Milne’s most significant and enduring achievements, however, were his beloved books Winnie-the-Pooh (1926) and The House at Pooh Corner (1928). These two volumes chronicled the adventures of a young boy named Christopher Robin, based on Milne’s own son, Christopher Robin Milne, along with his animal companions, inspired by the real Christopher Robin’s cherished stuffed toys. Central to these stories is the character of Winnie-the-Pooh, a bear characterized by his innocent curiosity and love for honey. He is accompanied by an ensemble of memorable characters, including the fastidious Rabbit, the melancholic donkey Eeyore, the exuberant tiger Tigger, the nurturing kangaroo Kanga and her joey Roo, the wise Owl, and the timid Piglet. The adventures set in the Hundred Acre Wood, beautifully illustrated by Ernest H. Shepard, became best-sellers and solidified Milne’s reputation as a household name.

Personal Life

Milne married Dorothy “Daphne” de Sélincourt in 1913, and the couple welcomed their son, Christopher Robin, in 1920.

Film Adaptation

In 2017, Milne’s life was depicted in the biographical film Goodbye Christopher Robin, featuring Domhnall Gleeson in the role of Milne and Margot Robbie as his wife.

Later Years

During the 1930s and 1940s, Milne shifted his focus back to adult literature, publishing a range of novels, short story collections, and a non-fiction work titled Peace with Honour, which presented an anti-war perspective. He also authored his autobiography, It’s Too Late Now, in 1939.

In the early 1950s, Milne faced health challenges and passed away at his home in Hartfield, East Sussex, on January 31, 1956. Despite his passing, Winnie-the-Pooh and the other beloved characters from his stories have continued to resonate as iconic figures in children’s literature.