Shipton, Jonathan (1948–) Works   hu en

Biography

Jonathan Shipton was born in Birmingham in 1948 but has spent most of his adult life in Wales where he now lives with his partner, Viv.  He has five children and three grandchildren who keep him young and provide ideas and inspiration. He has always loved books and survived his childhood by burying himself in escapist fiction: Enid Blyton, G. A. Henry, Sherlock Holmes and Biggles were early addictions. After A levels he studied English at Leicester University.  Being a student in the sixties was an exciting time and Jon became an active protester, as a result of which he was expelled.  He moved to Canterbury, got married and continued his writing whilst working as a jeweller and starting a co-operative wholefood store. In 1974 he moved to South Wales to create a self-sufficient New Age Community on a rocky hillside. After the community broke down Jon stayed in Wales and a love of children’s books grew as he shared them with his children.

(Editor of this page: P. T.)