Edith Ray Gregorson (1914-1983) was an English literary agent, and children's book author, who played a pivotal role in helping to get The Railway Series published. From 1941 to 1957, she was married to author and conservationist Robert Aickman, who she eventually left, fed up with his infidelity, in order to become a nun at an Anglican convent in Oxfordshire.
Biography[]
Edith Ray Gregorson first became involved with The Railway Series, after publishing agent and author Michael Barsley offered the stories that would become The Three Railway Engines, for publication to several companies, unsuccessfully. He then forwarded the stories to Edith Ray Gregorson, one of the directors of the literary agents, World Press Features Ltd. Gregorson read and liked the stories, and began trying to place them with a publisher. Six months later, in September 1943, Gregorson came back with good news, stating that the stories had been sent to Edmund Ward, who was keen to publish them at a future date. After Edmund Ward offered twenty-five pounds for the copyright to the book, Gregorson advised Awdry that it would be wise to accept the offer, and that any subsequent books 'could be tried elsewhere' if necessary. Two weeks later, Gregorson wrote with news that Awdry's stories could be in print sooner than expected, as Ward wanted to issue the stories all together in one book, with the suggested title of "The Three Railway Engines". In May 1945, Awdry wrote to Gregorson telling her that he had started on a new book, about a new engine character named Thomas. Gregorson wanted to tackle the dilemma of who would be illustrating the next book. Gregorson remained involved with the series, at-least through the publication of the third book.
Bibliography[]
- Lemuel (1947).
- Timothy Tramcar (1950).