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

Snugglepot and Cuddlepie ''Snugglepot and Cuddlepie'' is a series of books written by Australians, Australian author May Gibbs. The books chronicle the adventures of the eponymous Snugglepot and Cuddlepie. The central story arc concerns Snugglepot and Cuddlepie (who ar ...

''.

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 (probably from Middle Dutch or Middle High German ''masel(e)'', meaning "blemish, blood blister") is a highly contagious, Vaccine-preventable diseases, vaccine-preventable infectious disease caused by Measles morbillivirus, measles v ...

, 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 (Western Australia), South West of Western Australia along the South Western Highway, south of Perth, between Pinjarra, Western Australia, Pinjarra and Bunbury, Western Australia, Bunbury. It has a pop ...

. 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 list of Australian capital cities, capital city of Western Australia. It is the list of cities in Australia by population, fourth-most-populous city in Australia, with a population of over 2.3 million within Greater Perth . The ...

, 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

Gibbs was published for the first time in the Christmas edition of the ''W.A. Bulletin'', 1889. In 1894, Gibbs attended an artists' camp set up by H.C. 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 The Art Gallery of Western Australia (AGWA) is a public art gallery that is part of the Perth Cultural Centre, in Perth. It is located near the Western Australian Museum and State Library of Western Australia and is supported and managed by the ...

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 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 Sarg ...

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 (abbreviated V&A) in London is the world's largest museum of applied arts, decorative arts and design, housing a permanent collection of over 2.8 million objects. It was founded in 1852 and named after Queen ...

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. 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 women's suffrage, the right to vote in public elections in the United Kingdom. The term refers in part ...

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 continuousl ...

'' 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 and 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, 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), in Sydney. He died in 1939. James Ossoli Kelly, according to a Sutherland Shire Historical Bulletin, was a friend of Francis de Groot, the member of the fascist paramilitary organisation, the New Guard. De Groot would most infamously disrupt the opening of the

Sydney Harbour Bridge The Sydney Harbour Bridge is a steel through arch bridge in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, spanning Port Jackson, Sydney Harbour from the Sydney central business district, central business district (CBD) to the North Shore (Sydney), North ...

, disgruntled at the leftist policies of the then NSW Premier Jack Lang. As of 2024, a 2019 facebook post by May Gibb's Nutcote shows that a watercolour portrait of Bessie de Groot, (the wife of Francis de Groot) painted by May Gibbs still hangs in the breakfast room of Nutcote. 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 th ...

'' 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. 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 Cerebral palsy (CP) is a group of movement disorders that appear in ...

(formerly The Spastic Centre of NSW). The residue of her estate was left to the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund. Gibbs and her husband Kelly's connection to Francis de Groot and the New Guard, the largest and most successful fascist organisation in Australian history have long been omitted or brushed over as it is in-congruent with her posthumous reputation as a children's author and illustrator. In 1985 a postage stamp honouring Gibbs, or her best known creations, was issued by

Australia Post Australia Post, formally the Australian Postal Corporation and also known as AusPost, is an Australian Government-State-owned enterprise, owned corporation that provides postal services throughout Australia. Australia Post's head office is loca ...

as part of a set of five commemorating children's books. In 1988 a street in the Canberra suburb of Richardson 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 e 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 Port Jackson, Sydney Harbour and the connecting Parramatta River. The network is controlled by the New South Wales Government ...

' Emerald-class ferry was named in honour of the author. Gibb's Nutcote home was one of the first four blue plaques awarded by the

New South Wales government The Government of New South Wales, also known as the NSW Government, is the executive state government of New South Wales, Australia. The government comprises 11 portfolios, led by a ministerial department and supported by several agencies. Th ...

scheme in 2021.

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). Gem of the Flat / by Constance Mackness *(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 Cuddlepie / 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 children's book illustrators Australian fantasy artists Australian fantasy writers Women science fiction and fantasy writers Australian Members of the Order of the British Empire Writers from Western Australia Writers from New South Wales Australian women children's book illustrators Australian women children's writers 19th-century Australian women 20th-century Australian women English emigrants to colonial Australia 20th-century Australian artists