Alan Alexander Milne was an English writer best known for his books about the teddy bear Winnie-the-Pooh, as well as children's poetry. Milne was primarily a playwright before the huge success of Winn
Milne in 1922
Plaque commemorating Milne's birthplace in Kilburn, London
In 1921, Milne bought the 18-inch Alpha Farnell teddy bear for his son (who would name it Edward, then Winnie) from Harrods department store (pictured) in London.
Winnipeg, or Winnie, was the name given to a female black bear that lived at London Zoo from 1915 until her death in 1934. Purchased from a hunter by cavalry veterinarian Harry Colebourn, Winnie is be
A. A. Milne
…whom the character Christopher Robin is based. It was during a visit to London Zoo, where Christopher became enamoured of the tame and amiable bear Winnipeg, that Milne was inspired to write the story of Winnie-the-Pooh for his son. Milne bequeathed the original manuscripts of the Winnie-the-Pooh stories…
Harry Colebourn and Winnie, 1914
Winnie-the-Bear statue in Assiniboine Park Zoo in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Winnie the Bear as a cub with a sergeant of the CAVC
Winnie plays with a soldier's sleeve