Rev. W. Awdry

Wilbert Vere Awdry OBE was an English Anglican clergyman, railway enthusiast, and children's author, best known for creating The Railway Series, which features Thomas the Tank Engine. He began writing the stories to entertain his son Christopher during an illness. The first book, 'The Three Railway Engines,' was published in 1945. Awdry wrote 26 books in the series, with his son Christopher continuing the series after him. His work inspired the popular television adaptation 'Thomas & Friends.' Awdry was awarded an OBE in 1996.