Cecilia May Gibbs MBE (17 January 1877 – 27 November 1969) was an Australian children's author, illustrator, and cartoonist. She is best known for her

gumnut babies ''Snugglepot and Cuddlepie'' is a series of books written by Australian author May Gibbs. The books chronicle the adventures of the eponymous Snugglepot and Cuddlepie. The central story arc concerns Snugglepot and Cuddlepie (who are essentiall ...

(also known as "bush babies" or "bush fairies"), and the book '' Snugglepot and Cuddlepie''.

Early life

Gibbs was born in Sydenham, Kent, in the United Kingdom, to Herbert William Gibbs (1852 – 4 October 1940) and Cecilia Gibbs, née Rogers (c. 1851 – 26 March 1941), who were both talented artists. She was their second child, and as she was named after her mother, had the nickname "Mamie". The family planned to move to South Australia to set up a farm in 1879 due to Herbert's failing eyesight, the result of a boyhood injury. However, as Gibbs had caught the

measles Measles is a highly contagious infectious disease caused by measles virus. Symptoms usually develop 10–12 days after exposure to an infected person and last 7–10 days. Initial symptoms typically include fever, often greater than , cough, ...

, her father and uncle George Gordon Gibbs (c. 1860 – 24 August 1921) went to Australia, leaving her mother in England to care for the children. On 1 June 1881, the Gibbs brothers arrived in South Australia, and began to look for the land arranged for them by a relative of theirs. Over the next few months, the brothers became disillusioned with the land. Cecilia discovered that she was pregnant again, and decided to make the voyage to Australia with her children. Despite her parents' dismay, Cecilia and the children left, and her third child, Ivan, was born at sea. A drought in the area caused the family to move again, to Norwood. In 1885, the family moved again to a farm property in

Harvey, Western Australia Harvey is a town located in the South West of Western Australia along the South Western Highway, south of Perth, between Pinjarra and Bunbury. It has a population of 2,750. Harvey Town is known for its dairy industry and oranges. History H ...

. At the age of eight, Gibbs was given a pony named Brownie by her father. May enjoyed exploring the bush riding her pony, and began to paint and write about the bush at this time. This period of her childhood, and her imaginative interpretation of the bush, was formative in the development of the anthropomorphic bush setting found in her work. When Gibbs was 10, the family moved to

Perth Perth is the capital and largest city of the Australian state of Western Australia. It is the fourth most populous city in Australia and Oceania, with a population of 2.1 million (80% of the state) living in Greater Perth in 2020. Perth is ...

, where she was educated at Amy Best's girls' school in Perth.''"Gibbs, Cecilia May (1877–1969)"'', ''Australian Dictionary of Biography'', 1981
; Retrieved 6 December 2016 Harvey stirling cottage

In 1894, Gibbs attended an artists’ camp set up by HC Prinsep, who along with her father, was one of the founding members of the Wilgie Sketching Club (later the West Australian Society of Artists) at 'Undercliffe' in Greenmount, Western Australia. That year she began painting in oils ''"anything at all – trying to get beyond the sticky stage… painting plaques to hang on walls and earning enough to keep myself in all but chemist bills"'', Gibbs stated. She also painted scenery and made set designs for local amateur productions. In the mid-1890s she was attending classes at the Art Gallery of Western Australia. Gibbs was published for the first time in the Christmas edition of the ''W.A. Bulletin'', 1889.

Study in England

Between 1890 and 1913, Gibbs made several trips to England, primarily to study art. She spent a year at the South Kensington Art School run by

Arthur Stockdale Cope Sir Arthur Stockdale Cope, (2 November 1857 – 5 July 1940) was a British portraitist. Biography Cope was born on 2 November 1857, in South Kensington, London. His father was Charles West Cope (1811–1890), a successful history and ge ...

and Erskine Nicol, and attended classes at the Chelsea Polytechnic (now Chelsea College of Arts), studying under

Augustus John Augustus Edwin John (4 January 1878 – 31 October 1961) was a Welsh painter, draughtsman, and etcher. For a time he was considered the most important artist at work in Britain: Virginia Woolf remarked that by 1908 the era of John Singer Sarge ...

and Ernest Borough Johnson. She graduated in 1905 with first class passes in every category. Gibbs' art education also included ‘half-hours’ at the studios of

Victoria and Albert Museum The Victoria and Albert Museum (often abbreviated as the V&A) in London is the world's largest museum of applied arts, decorative arts and design, housing a permanent collection of over 2.27 million objects. It was founded in 1852 and nam ...

where students could draw the nude for free,''"May Gibbs: Artist, Draughtsman, Painter, Cartoonist, Illustrator"'', ''Design & Art Australia Online'', 1995
; Retrieved 6 December 2016 and a term at the School for Black and White Artists run by Henry Blackburn, editor of

London Society ''London Society'' was a Victorian era illustrated monthly periodical, subtitled "an illustrated magazine of light and amusing literature for the hours of relaxation". It was published between 1862 and 1898 by W. Clowes and Sons, London. The m ...

. During her time in England, Gibbs completed assignments as an illustrator for George G. Harrap and Co., published a fantasy about London chimneys, ''About Us'' (1912), and drew cartoons for the ''Common Cause'', published by the

Suffragettes A suffragette was a member of an activist women's organisation in the early 20th century who, under the banner "Votes for Women", fought for the right to vote in public elections in the United Kingdom. The term refers in particular to member ...

Early work

On her return trips home to Australia, Gibbs produced fashion illustrations for ''

The West Australian ''The West Australian'' is the only locally edited daily newspaper published in Perth, Western Australia. It is owned by Seven West Media (SWM), as is the state's other major newspaper, '' The Sunday Times''. It is the second-oldest continuous ...

'' and cartoons for the Western Australian magazine ''Social Kodak''. She became a regular contributor to ''Western Mail''. Her sketches, illustrations, cartoons and caricatures appeared on the cover and throughout the newspaper between 1904–1908. Notably, Gibbs illustrated an article written by Senator Agnes Robertson on the women's rights movement Women's Position in the State’ by 'One of Them’''. Gibbs is seen as one of Australia’s first resident professional woman cartoonists and caricaturists and the first Australian woman known to have drawn local political cartoons. ''"May Gibbs was a pioneer for female cartoonists, especially since she was successful,”'' noted renowned Australian cartoonist Lindsay Foyle. In 1907 she exhibited five watercolours in the First Australian Exhibition of Women’s Work at Melbourne.

Return to Australia

Due to ill health, Gibbs returned to Australia from England in 1913, and settled in Sydney. She took up residence at Derry, a heritage listed semi-detached house in

Neutral Bay Neutral Bay is a suburb on the Lower North Shore of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Neutral Bay is around 1.5 kilometres north of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of North Sydney Council. Neutral Bay takes ...

. 1913 also marked the first public appearance of the gumnut babies, on the front cover of ''The Missing Button'' by

Ethel Turner Ethel Turner (24 January 1870 – 8 April 1958) was an English-born Australian novelist and children's literature writer. Life She was born Ethel Mary Burwell in Doncaster in England. Her father died when she was two, leaving her mother Sarah J ...

, which Gibbs had illustrated. She produced postcards depicting gumnut babies in uniform to support Australia's role in World War One at this time. Gibbs' first book about the gumnut babies, titled ''Gumnut Babies'', was published in 1916. It was soon followed, in 1918, by her most famous work, ''Snugglepot and Cuddlepie''. Gibbs wrote many books on the theme of the gumnut babies. Gibbs married Bertram James Ossoli Kelly, a mining agent, on 17 April 1919, whom she met during a visit to Perth. In 1925 they moved into their purpose built home Nutcote, then in

(now part of

Kurraba Point Kurraba Point is a harbourside suburb on the lower North Shore (Sydney), North Shore of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Kurraba Point is located 4 kilometres north of the Sydney central business district, in the Local government in Australi ...

), in Sydney. He died in 1939. Gibbs continued to write and illustrate children's books, publishing ''Little Ragged Blossom'' in 1920 and ''Little Obelia'' the following year. In addition to her work illustrating and writing, Gibbs maintained two comic strips, ''Bib and Bub'' 1924–1967 and ''Tiggy Touchwood'' 1925–1931, in opposition newspapers. ''Tiggy Touchwood'' appeared in the ''

Sunday Sun The ''Sunday Sun'' is a regional Sunday newspaper on sale in North East England, Cumbria and the Scottish Borders, published in Newcastle Upon Tyne by Reach plc. First published on 31 August 1919 as ''The Sunday Sun'', the name was changed to t ...

'' under the signature "Stan Cottman". The comic strips were published in newspapers in most Australian states and also in New Zealand. In 1923 she published ''Nuttybub and Nittersing'' and in 1929 ''Two Little Gum-Nuts''. All her books have been reprinted numerous times and five cartoon books of ''Bib and Bub'' have been published. In addition to her children's books, Gibbs was also an accomplished botanical artist whose work is said to have inspired other artists interested in indigenous flora. Art historian, Anna Jug, has described her work as being both delightfully imaginative and botanically accurate.

Death and legacy

May Gibbs died in Sydney on 27 November 1969, and was cremated at

Northern Suburbs Crematorium, Sydney The Northern Suburbs Crematorium, officially Northern Suburbs Memorial Gardens and Crematorium, is a crematorium in North Ryde, New South Wales, a suburb of Sydney, Australia. It was officially opened on 28 October 1933, and the first cremation ...

. Gibbs bequeathed the copyright from the designs of her bush characters and her stories to Northcott Disability Services (formerly The NSW Society for Crippled Children) and

Cerebral Palsy Alliance Cerebral Palsy Alliance (formerly The Spastic Centre) is an Australian nonprofit organisation helping babies, children, teenagers and adults living with cerebral palsy and other neurological and physical disabilities. Its therapy teams work w ...

(formerly The Spastic Centre of NSW). The residue of her estate was left to the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund. In 1985 a postage stamp honouring Gibbs, or her best known creations, was issued by

Australia Post Australia Post, formally the Australian Postal Corporation, is the government business enterprise that provides postal services in Australia. The head office of Australia Post is located in Bourke Street, Melbourne, which also serves as a post ...

as part of a set of five commemorating children's books. In 1988 a street in the Canberra suburb of

Richardson Richardson may refer to: People * Richardson (surname), an English and Scottish surname * Richardson Gang, a London crime gang in the 1960s * Richardson Dilworth, Mayor of Philadelphia (1956-1962) Places Australia * Richardson, Australian Capi ...

was named May Gibbs Close in her honour. On 3 December 2016, the

State Library of New South Wales The State Library of New South Wales, part of which is known as the Mitchell Library, is a large heritage-listed special collections, reference and research library open to the public and is one of the oldest libraries in Australia. Establis ...

opened an exhibition of Gibbs’ artwork to mark the 100th anniversary of the publication of ''Gumnut Babies''. In January 2018 a

Sydney Ferries Sydney Ferries is the public transport ferry network serving the city of Sydney, New South Wales. Services operate on Sydney Harbour and the connecting Parramatta River. The network is controlled by the New South Wales Government's transport a ...

' Emerald-class ferry was named in honour of the author.Ferry McFerryface wasn't public pick for new ferry name until Andrew Constance's captain's pick
''

Daily Telegraph Daily or The Daily may refer to: Journalism * Daily newspaper, newspaper issued on five to seven day of most weeks * ''The Daily'' (podcast), a podcast by ''The New York Times'' * ''The Daily'' (News Corporation), a defunct US-based iPad new ...

'' 30 January 2018

Works

*(1912). About us / by May Gibbs. (No. 3529). London : New York: Ernest Nister; E.P. Dutton
reference online
*(1913). Scribbling Sue and other stories / by Amy Eleanor Mack. Sydney: Angus & Robertson
reference online
*(1913). Georgian England (1714–1820) / by Susan Cunnington; illustrated by May Gibbs. London: George G. Harrap &
reference online
*(1915). A little bush poppy / by Edith Graham; illustrated by May Gibbs. Melbourne: Lothian Book Publishing
reference online
*(1916). Gum blossom babies / words and pictures by May Gibbs. Sydney: Angus & Robertson
reference online
*(1917). Boronia babies / May Gibbs. Sydney: Angus & Robertson
reference online
*(1917). Flannel flowers and other bush babies / May Gibbs. Sydney: Angus & Robertson
reference online
*(1918). Wattle babies / by May Gibbs. Sydney: Angus & Robertson
reference online
*(1918). Snugglepot and Cuddlepie : Their Adventures Wonderful / Pictures and words by May Gibbs. Sydney: Angus & Robertson
reference online
*(1920). Little Ragged Blossom, & more about Snugglepot and Cuddlepie / by May Gibbs. Sydney: Angus & Robertson
reference online
*(1921). Little Obelia, and further adventures of Ragged Blossom, Snugglepot & Cuddlepie / May Gibbs. Sydney: Angus & Robertson
reference online
*(1922). Gumnut babies : Words and pictures / by May Gibbs. Sydney: Angus & Robertson
reference online
*(1923). Nuttybub and Nittersing / by May Gibbs. Melbourne: Osboldstone &.
reference online
*(1924). Chucklebud and Wunkydoo / by May Gibbs. Melbourne: Osboldstone
reference online
*(1925). Bib and Bub : Their adventures / by May Gibbs. Sydney: Cornstalk Pub
reference online
*(1927). The further adventures of Bib and Bub / by May Gibbs. Sydney: Cornstalk Publishing
reference online
*(1927). The struggle with the crown (1603–1715) / by E.M. Wilmot-Buxton; illustrated by May Gibbs. London: George G. Harrap
reference online
*(1928). More funny stories / by May Gibbs. Sydney: Cornstalk Publishing
reference online
*(1929). Bib & Bub in Gumnut town / by May Gibbs. Sydney: Halstead Printing
reference online
*(1932). A bush greeting to you / May Gibbs. Sydney, N.S.W.?
reference online
*(1940). The complete adventures of Snugglepot and Cuddlepot / pictures & words by May Gibbs. Sydney: Angus & Robertson
reference online
*(1941). Scotty in gumnut land / by May Gibbs. Sydney: Angus & Robertson
reference online
*(1943). Mr. & Mrs. Bear and friends / by ay Gibbs Sydney: Angus & Robertson
reference online
*(1953). Prince Dande Lion, incomplete, State Library of New South Wales
MLMSS 2409

Material held in collections

The State Library of New South Wales �
papers, relics and pictorial collections, 1900–1969
*May Gibbs papers – Guide located at MLMSS 2048/1A *SERIES 01 �
Literary Manuscripts, 1901–1967
- published works 1916–1953, Unpublished works 1901–1941, Notebooks and Miscellaneous Notes and Verses 1906–1966, Newspaper column n.d., Cartoons, 1924–1967 *SERIES 02 �
Professional Papers, 1912–1967
- Literary Manuscripts 1901–1967, Published works; Unpublished works; Notebooks, and Miscellaneous Notes and Verses; Newspaper Column; Cartoons; Professional Papers 1912–1967; Correspondence; General Papers; Financial Papers; Personal Papers 1900–1969; Correspondence; Journals & Notebooks; Financial Papers; Newspaper Cuttings 1905–1967; Cartoons; 'Gumnut Gossip'; Miscellaneous Cuttings; Printed and Miscellaneous Material, 1906–1967; Microfilm Material, n.d. *SERIES 03 �
Personal Papers, 1900–1969
- manuscript; typescript; illustrations; clippings; ephemera. *SERIES 04 �
Newspaper Cuttings
1905–1967 – Cartoons; 'Gumnut Gossip'; Miscellaneous Cuttings. *SERIES 05 �
Printed and Miscellaneous Material, 1906–1967
– Cartoons; 'Gumnut Gossip'; Miscellaneous Cuttings. *SERIES 06 �
Microfilm Material, n.d.
- Being five short stories selected by F. Treuthardt: 'The Three Scottie pups'; 'Funny Mrs Lizzard'; 'The Missing Tadpoles'; 'The Lost Food Basket'; Bib and Bub's Shoe Shop' *SERIES 07 �
Illustrations, 1867 – ca. 1968 / May Gibbs
- mostly May Gibbs' original sketches for her children's books. Also included are sketches for proposed publications, studies made while at art school in London, and portraits and photographs of her family and friends. *SERIES 08 �
May Gibbs relics, 1900–1969
– Badge of MBE; Bell; 2 figurines; printing blocks; printed handkerchiefs; gum leaves and bark. *SERIES 09 �
Framed pictures and individual works, 1910–1930? / by May Gibbs or H.W. Gibbs
– five watercolour drawings.

References

External links

* Walsh, Maureen (2008). ''An Interview with May Gibbs DVD'', Sydney: Sydney University Press.
May Gibbs Story at the State Library of NSW

May Gibbs' Nutcote

May and Herbert Gibbs Collection

Panozzo Online *
May Gibbs' Merchandise Website

May Gibbs interviewed by Hazel de Berg for the Hazel de Berg collection
– audio recording {{DEFAULTSORT:Gibbs, May 1877 births 1969 deaths Australian comics artists Australian female comics artists Australian children's writers Australian Members of the Order of the British Empire Writers from Western Australia Writers from New South Wales Australian women artists Australian women children's writers 19th-century Australian women 20th-century Australian women English emigrants to Australia