W. Awdry (1911–1997)
Author of Thomas & Friends: Happy Birthday, Thomas!
About the Author
W. V. Awdry was born on June 15, 1911 in Hampshire, England. He was ordained as a minister in 1936 and served as a vicar in many parishes. Fascinated by trains since childhood, Awdry told train stories to his young son, Christopher. When his son quickly pointed out discrepancies between his show more retelling of these stories, Awdry realized the importance of writing them down. His wife submitted some of the stories to a literary agent, and the hugely popular Thomas the Tank Engine series was created. Between 1945 and 1972, Awdry wrote twenty-six Thomas the Tank Engine stories, beginning with The Three Railway Engines and ending with Tramway Engines. His books have sold over 50 million copies and spawned an Emmy-winning PBS animated series. Fortunately for fans of the books, Awdry's son Christopher resumed writing the series. W. V. Awdry died on March 21, 1997. (Bowker Author Biography) show less
Series
Works by W. Awdry
Thomas and the Naughty Diesel (Thomas & Friends) (Pictureback(R)) (1999) — Original Stories — 164 copies
The Monster Under the Shed (Thomas & Friends) (Pictureback(R)) (2001) — Original Stories — 158 copies
Thomas the Tank Engine's Hidden Surprises (Thomas & Friends) (Let's Go Lift-and-Peek) (1999) 136 copies
Thomas and the Breakdown Train / Thomas and the Freight Cars (Thomas & Friends Club) (2001) 103 copies
Thomas and Friends: Trains, Cranes and Troublesome Trucks (Thomas & Friends) (Beginner Books(R)) (2008) 60 copies
Not So Fast, Bash and Dash! (Thomas & Friends) (Step into Reading) (2013) — Original Stories — 47 copies
Thomas the Tank Engine Collection: A Unique Collection of Engine Stories From The Railway Series (1998) 31 copies
Thomas and Friends: Fast Train, Slow Train (Thomas & Friends) (Bright & Early Books(R)) (2009) 27 copies
Thomas and Friends: James and the Bootlace / James and the Express (Two Books in One) (2002) 17 copies
Thomas the Tank Engine: Set of 4 Step Into Reading Books Levels 1-2 (Thomas Comes to Breakfast: A Write-In Reader ~… (2004) 17 copies
A Close Shave;: Dirty Work : Thomas & Friends Club (Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends) (2002) 16 copies
Thomas' Busy Day 14 copies
Percy Runs Away ; Thomas and the Breakdown Train (Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends) (1984) 12 copies
Year-Round Engines 12 copies
My Big Book of Thomas the Tank Engine Stories: Based on the Railway Series by the Rev W Awdry (1992) 10 copies
Old Faithful;: PETER SAM and the Refreshment Lady (Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends, Based on the Railway Series by the… (1995) 10 copies
The Railway Stories - The Three Railway engines, James the Red Engine, Troublesome Engines, Henry the Green Engine,… (1982) 10 copies
Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends Henry's Sneeze/ Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends The Flying Kipper (Thomas… (2002) 8 copies
Thomas & Friends: The Movie Pack (Calling All Engines!, Hero of the Rails, The Great Discovery) [Videorecording] (2012) — Creator — 6 copies
Old Iron;: THOMAS and the Guard (THOMAS & FRIENDS CLUB, Based on the Railway Series) (2002) 6 copies
Thomas and Friends: Stop, Train, Stop! / Go, Train, Go! / A Crack in the Track - 3 Book Set (I Can Read It Beginner… (2005) 3 copies
Thomas & Friends Little Golden Book Library (Thomas & Friends): Thomas and the Great Discovery; Hero of the Rails;… (2013) 3 copies
percy plays tricks 3 copies
james' new coat 2 copies
Thomas and Bertie 2 copies
Adventures of Percy 2 copies
Diesel's Devious Deed Book & CD (Thomas & Friends) (Book and CD) by Rev. W. Awdry (2005-01-05) (1703) 2 copies
Thomas and the Windy Day: A Thomas the Tank Engine Drivealong Book (Thomas & Friends) (2001) 2 copies
Thomas and Friends: Go, Train, Go! 2 copies
Gordon's New View (Step Into Reading - Level 1) by Wilbert Vere Awdry (14-Aug-2007) Paperback 1 copy
[(Thomas the Tank Engine Great Race)] [Author: Reverend Wilbert Vere Awdry] published on (August, 2007) (2007) 1 copy
Thomas and Friends: My Red Railway Book Box (Bright & Early Board Books) Blue train, green train 1 copy
[(Thomas Comes to Breakfast (Thomas & Friends) )] [Author: Reverend Wilbert Vere Awdry] [Jun-2004] 1 copy
Thomas' dusty day 1 copy
off the rails 1 copy
Thomas and the Trucks 1 copy
Percy Takes Plunge Pop-Up 1 copy
The Sad Story of Henry, Thomas's Train, Thomas and the Guard (Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends) 1 copy
Thomas and the Jet Engine 1 copy
Thomas' Train 2 books in 1 1 copy
Thomas e a festa à fantasia 1 copy
The Worlds strongest engine! 1 copy
Stop, Train Stop 1 copy
BREAK-VAN: THOMAS & FRIENDS 1 copy
Boco, Thomas & Friends 1 copy
Thomas The Train (13) Pack (Thomas The Train Random House Picture Back Series Much More ...) (2000) 1 copy
Steamies vs. Diesels VHS 1 copy
Easter Engines 1 copy
Thomas' Big Race Sound Book 1 copy
Bull's-eyes 1 copy
O masince Tomasovi 4 1 copy
Thomas the Tank Engine Book Set: Thomas and the Breakdown Train/Thomas and the Freight Cars ~ Thomas in Trouble/Toby… (2001) 1 copy
Thomas and the School Trip (I Can Read It All By Myself Beginner Books) by Rev. W. Awdry (1993-09-07) (1816) 1 copy
Stuck in the mud 1 copy
Thomas & Friends: Thomas 1 copy
Thomas & Friends: Words 1 copy
On track for adventure 1 copy
Elizabeth 1 copy
Arthur 1 copy
Thomas and Friends, Henry 1 copy
Bertie's Chase 1 copy
Thomas, Terence and the Snow 1 copy
Thomas, Terence and the Snow 1 copy
Danger At the Diesel Workd 1 copy
Thomas and the Sticky Toffe 1 copy
Thomas neemt de kortste weg 1 copy
The Deputation 1 copy
The Sad Story of Henry 1 copy
Saved from Scrap 1 copy
Our child begins to pray 1 copy
Good Night, Little Engine 1 copy
Plop! doet Thomas 1 copy
Thomas a gőzmozdony 1 copy
Thomas' handige woordenboek 1 copy
Thomas the Tank Engine Book Set: Diesel 10 Means Trouble ~ Down at the Docks ~ Thomas and the Naughty Diesel ~ Little… (2000) 1 copy
Thomas die Dampflok 1 copy
Railway Stories 1 copy
Thomas and Gordon 1 copy
Trucks! 1 copy
James, the Red Engine 1 copy
Off the Rails 1 copy
Percy in Disguise 1 copy
Duck and Dukes 1 copy
Toby, the Tram Engine 1 copy
Associated Works
Thomas the the Magic Railroad : Little Engines Can Do Big Things (2000) — Original stories — 499 copies
Tagged
Common Knowledge
- Canonical name
- Awdry, W.
- Legal name
- Awdry, Wilbert Vere
- Other names
- Awdry, Wilbert
- Birthdate
- 1911-06-15
- Date of death
- 1997-03-21
- Gender
- male
- Nationality
- UK
- Country (for map)
- UK
- Birthplace
- Ampfield, Hampshire, England, UK
- Place of death
- Rodborough, Stroud, Gloucestershire, England, UK
- Places of residence
- Box, Wiltshire, England, UK
Jerusalem, Israel
Stroud, Gloucestershire, England, UK
Birmingham, England, UK - Education
- Wycliffe Hall, Oxford (Dipl. Th.|1933)
St Peter's Hall, Oxford (BA|1932) - Occupations
- cleric
children's book author - Relationships
- Awdry, Christopher (son)
- Organizations
- Church of England (Deacon|1936|Priest|1939)
- Awards and honors
- Order of the British Empire (1996)
Members
Reviews
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Awards
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Statistics
- Works
- 815
- Also by
- 7
- Members
- 26,274
- Popularity
- #799
- Rating
- 3.6
- Reviews
- 109
- ISBNs
- 1,724
- Languages
- 21
- Favorited
- 2