C. S. (Charles Seddon) Evans

Charles Seddon Evans was a British writer and publishing editor, born on June 23, 1883, and died on November 29, 1944. He was educated at East London College, began his career as a schoolmaster, and moved into publishing in 1909 as Educational Editor at Edward Arnold. In 1913 he joined Heinemann, where he remained for the rest of his working life, later becoming Chairman and Managing Director.

As an author, he is most closely associated with graceful retellings of classic stories. His versions of Cinderella and The Sleeping Beauty became especially notable through their collaboration with illustrator Arthur Rackham. Contemporary publisher notes describe his approach as more than simple retelling: he expanded familiar tales with extra details and atmosphere, giving them a fuller, more playful narrative life.

Evans is remembered as someone who stood comfortably in both the literary and publishing worlds. That mix of editorial experience and storytelling instinct shows in his work, which feels polished, accessible, and lovingly made for readers who enjoy timeless tales.