Mary Shepard
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Mary Shepard was an English illustrator who visually created the iconic character of Mary Poppins, illustrating all eight books in the series between 1934 and 1988.
Key Facts
- Born Mary Eleanor Jessie Shepard on 25th December 1909.
- Accepted to study at Slade School of Fine Art in 1927, a prestigious art school in London.
- Was the daughter of E.H. Shepard, the illustrator of Winnie the Pooh.
- Began working as an illustrator for the author, P.L. Travers in 1934, creating the illustrations for the Mary Poppins books.
- Passed away at the age of 90 on 4th September 2000.
Early Life & Education
Born Mary Eleanor Jessie Shepard on 25th December 1909, Mary Shepard was born at Red Cottage in Shamley Green, Surrey, England.
Starting at an early age, Mary Shepard attended St. Monica's School, an all girls school located in Tadworth, Surrey, where she completed her primary and secondary education.
After graduating from St. Monica's School, Mary Shepard moved to France to enrol in the Villa Ste Monique, a finishing school located in the Auteuil suburb of Paris.
In 1927, Mary Shepard was accepted to study at the Slade School of Fine Art, a prestigious art school in London where she studied painting and drawing under distinguished instructors such as Henry Tonks and Randolph Schwabe.
Graduating from the school in the early 1930's, shortly afterwards, Mary Shepard began to work with Pamela Lyndon Travers OBE, creating the illustrations which were featured in the stories of Mary Poppins.
Artistic Career
Shortly after graduating from the Slade School of Fine Art at the age of 23, Mary Shepard began working with author, Pamela Lyndon Travers in 1934 to illustrate the first book for Mary Poppins.
Pamela Lyndon Travers had originally approached Mary Shepard's father, Ernest Howard Shepard, the illustrator of Winnie the Pooh. However, Ernest Howard Shepard was too busy to take on the project with Pamela Lyndon Travers asking Mary Shepard to take on the role, realising her style was perfect for the Mary Poppin's character after seeing a Christmas card which she had designed.
The collaboration continued for over 50 years, with Mary Shepard completing the illustrations for the following Mary Poppin's stories, authored by Pamela Lyndon Travers.
Mary Poppins Books Illustrated by Mary Shepard
The first book in the Mary Poppins series, it introduced the world to the stern yet magical nanny who arrives at Number 17 Cherry Tree Lane. After the previous nanny, Katie Nanna, leaves in a huff, Mary Poppins is blown in by a strong East Wind, taking charge of the four Banks children Jane, Michael and baby twins John and Barbara.
Published: 1934
Mary Poppins returns to the Banks family in a dramatic fashion. While Michael is flying a kite in the park, he feels a heavy weight on the line only to find Mary Poppins at the end of the string, descending from the clouds. She agrees to stay with the family 'until the chain of her locket breaks'.
Published: 1935
Mary Poppins returns to the Banks family at Number 17 Cherry Tree Lane on Guy Fawkes Night, falling from the sky like a firework. She continues her adventures with Jane and Michael, along with the twins and the new baby, Annabel.
Published: 1943
The book consists of several, separate adventures that happen while visiting the local park, such as seeing a lion, meeting the Goosegirl and Swineherd and visiting with creatures under dandelions. The stories feature familiar characters including Mary Poppins, Jane and Michael Banks and the Park Keeper.
Published: 1952
Unlike other Mary Poppins stories, this book serves as a companion piece which includes 26 short descriptions of each letter of the alphabet, which feature the Banks family and other beloved characters from the books. Each letter features a brief story or 'vignette', which is accompanied by a full page illustration.
Published: 1962
The book is split into two parts. The first half of the book follows Mary Poppins and the Banks children as they take over the kitchen for a week while the cook and their parents are away. The second half serves as a practical cookbook, containing approximately 30 recipes that appear in the story.
Published: 1975
Set in the most magical night of the year, Midsummer’s Eve, Mary Poppins takes the Banks children on an adventure where mythical figures descend from the heavens and animals can speak.
Published: 1982
The residents of Cherry Tree Lane are distressed to learn that Number 18, an empty house that neighbours have filled with their own dreams, is finally getting a tenant. The new resident is Miss Andrew, Mr. Banks' former governess, who is famously known as the 'Holy Terror'.
Published: 1988
Marriage and Family
On 2nd October 1937, Mary Shepard married Edmund George Valpy Knox, a close family friend who was a famous poet and editor of Punch magazine.
Once married, Mary Shepard became the stepmother to the two children from the first marriage of Edmund George Valpy Knox. The eldest of the two children, Penelope Fitzgerald, became a celebrated novelist and winner of the Booker Prize with Rawle Knox, the younger of the two children going on to become a prominent journalist.
Death & Legacy
Mary Shepard passed away at the age of 90 on 4th September 2000. She passed away at the Highgate Nursing Home in Islington, London, after a long illness.
A family memorial service was held on 14th September 2000 at the Hampstead Parish Church, known as St. John-at-Hampstead, where Mary Shepard had been a worshipper for many years.
Buried in the churchyard of St. John-at-Hampstead, Mary Shepard requested not to be buried with her husband, because she didn't want her name to 'clutter', his headstone.
Instead, Mary Shepard is buried beside her stepdaughter and close friend, the novelist Penelope Fitzgerald, where the headstone of Mary Shepard depicts a hand holding a paintbrush, with an illustration of a hand holding a pen featuring on the headstone of Penelope Fitzgerald.
