The Rupert Connection
Alfred Edmeades Bestall is known throughout the world for his 'Rupert the Bear' stories and artistry. What might not be so generally known is that Alfred enjoyed a close connection with family in New Zealand. To the children and grandchildren of Ina and Bob Edmeades, he was known simply as 'Uncle Fred'.
Alfred Bestall was born in Mandalay, Burma on 14th December 1892. His parents were the Reverend Arthur Bestall, and Rebecca Edmeades. As a young boy he was sent back to England for schooling at Rydal School in Colwyn Bay, North Wales. Alfred studied there from 1904-1911 and then won a scholarship to the Birmingham Central School of Art.
After art school, Alfred went first to Fleet Street where he joined a studio supplying humorous drawings for magazines and journals such as Punch, Tatler, London Opinion and Schoolgirls Own. In 1935 Alfred was invited to take over the Rupert the Bear cartoon in the Daily Express Newspaper. The position required that he not only draw the daily panels, but also that he should develop and write the stories too. Despite its challenges, drawing Rupert and his chums became a lifetime's work for Alfred, who remained officially with the paper for three decades, and then in retirement still contributed artworks for the annuals.
Alfred Bestall was born in Mandalay, Burma on 14th December 1892. His parents were the Reverend Arthur Bestall, and Rebecca Edmeades. As a young boy he was sent back to England for schooling at Rydal School in Colwyn Bay, North Wales. Alfred studied there from 1904-1911 and then won a scholarship to the Birmingham Central School of Art.
After art school, Alfred went first to Fleet Street where he joined a studio supplying humorous drawings for magazines and journals such as Punch, Tatler, London Opinion and Schoolgirls Own. In 1935 Alfred was invited to take over the Rupert the Bear cartoon in the Daily Express Newspaper. The position required that he not only draw the daily panels, but also that he should develop and write the stories too. Despite its challenges, drawing Rupert and his chums became a lifetime's work for Alfred, who remained officially with the paper for three decades, and then in retirement still contributed artworks for the annuals.
For more information on the life and career of Alfred Bestall see: