Dick King-Smith author page

Dick King-Smith biography

Dick King-Smith, born Ronald Gordon King-Smith on March 27, 1922, in Bitton, Gloucestershire, England, was a prolific British children’s author best known for his animal-centric stories. Raised in the West Country, he developed a deep affection for animals early in life, which later became a hallmark of his writing.

During World War II, King-Smith served with the Grenadier Guards in Italy. In 1944, he sustained serious injuries from a hand grenade, leading to his return to England and eventual discharge from military service in 1946 due to disability. Following the war, he spent two decades as a farmer, an experience that profoundly influenced his literary work. Later, he transitioned to teaching at a primary school before embarking on a writing career in his mid-fifties.

His debut book, The Fox Busters, was published in 1978. Over the next three decades, King-Smith authored more than 130 books, many featuring anthropomorphic animal characters. His most renowned work, The Sheep-Pig (1983), known in the United States as Babe: The Gallant Pig, won the 1984 Guardian Children’s Fiction Prize and was adapted into the successful 1995 film Babe. Other notable titles include The Queen’s Nose, The Water Horse, Harry’s Mad, and the Sophie series.

Several of his books were adapted for television, such as The Queen’s Nose (1995–2003) and Harry’s Mad (1993–1996). In recognition of his contributions to children’s literature, King-Smith was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2010. He passed away on January 4, 2011, at the age of 88.