Ernest A. (Ernest Alfred) Aris

Born in Islington, London, on April 22, 1882, Ernest Aris grew up partly in Bradford, where he studied art and earned a diploma at Bradford Technical College School of Art in 1900. He later continued his training at the Royal College of Art, building the strong drawing skills that would shape his long career.

Aris became best known as a writer and illustrator for children. Sources describe him as having worked on more than 170 of his own books, and one account says he also illustrated over 250 books for other authors. His stories often featured animals, and he also worked under the pen names Robin A Hood and Dan Crow.

Beyond books, he was a versatile commercial artist who designed postcards, cigarette cards, toys, and games. He died in Hornsey, North London, on April 14, 1963, leaving behind a huge body of work that helped define a warm, playful corner of early 20th-century children's publishing.