Clewes, Dorothy Mary 1907-2003
CLEWES, Dorothy Mary 1907-2003
OBITUARY NOTICE—See index for CA sketch: Born July 6, 1907 in Nottingham, England; died February 8, 2003. Writer. Clewes was a British writer for all ages, best known for her easy-to-read picture books for young children. She studied at Nottingham University, and later became a secretary and worked for her family's doctor in Nottingham while writing in her spare time. Her first novel was published in 1925, but it was not until after marrying Winston Clewes, a prolific writer, in 1932, that Dorothy devoted herself to writing on a full-time basis. Beginning in 1968, Clewes began her most famous series, the adventures of a stubborn four-year-old in the "Willie" books: Upsidedown Willie, Special Branch Willie, and Fire Brigade Willie. From these popular picture books to teen novels like Storm over Innish, her books have pleased both British and American readers with their interesting settings, intriguing subjects, and likeable, well-drawn characters.
OBITUARIES AND OTHER SOURCES:
PERIODICALS
Guardian (Manchester, England), February 25, 2003, Julia Eccleshare, "Dorothy Clewes: Writer in Touch with the Imagination of Children."