Milne, A. a.: - Alan Alexander Milne was born on January 18, 1882, in Hampstead, London, to John Vine Milne and Sarah Maria Heginbotham. He was educated at Westminster School and later at Trinity College, Cambridge, where he wrote for the student magazine Granta. After graduating, he became an assistant editor at Punch magazine, where his wit and writing style matured. Though Milne initially made his name as a playwright and essayist, his lasting fame came from the stories he created for his son, Christopher Robin Milne, featuring the beloved teddy bear character Winnie-the-Pooh. These tales, inspired by his son s stuffed animals and their playtime in Ashdown Forest, became literary classics. Despite the global acclaim of the Winnie-the-Pooh series, Milne often expressed frustration that his serious work was overlooked. He also authored children s poetry collections, such as When We Were Very Young, and several plays, including The Ugly Duckling and Wurzel-Flummery. His wife, Dorothy de S lincourt, remained a supportive presence throughout his life. Milne passed away on January 31, 1956, in Hartfield, leaving behind a literary legacy that shaped children's literature for generations.