Gibbs, May (1877-1969)

Also known as
Cottman, StanKelly, Cecilia May (1877-1969)
Gibbs, C. M. (Cecilia May) (1877-1969)
Gibbs, Cecilia May (1877-1969)
Kelly, Cecilia May Ossoli (1877-1969)
Field of activity
cartoonist (general); children's author; essayist; illustrator; Black & white art; Painting; Drawing; cartoonist; author
Libraries Australia
http://nla.gov.au/anbd.aut-an35047506
NLA Persistent Identifier
http://nla.gov.au/nla.party-461654

Biographies

GIBBS, HERBERT WILLIAM (1852-1940), public servant and artist, and CECILIA MAY (1877-1969), author, were father and daughter. Herbert was born on 21 November 1852 at Alverstoke, Southampton, England, eldest of seven children of William Gibbs, merchant, and his wife Eliza, née Emery. He was educated by his father (who became a private tutor at Singleton, Sussex, about 1871), then at a grammar school until, at 14, he lost an eye, and finally by Rev. Edward Cole, rector of St Peter's, Brighton. In 1870 he joined the civil service, working as a clerk in the General Post Office in 1877, and studied art at the School of Design, South Kensington, and with Philip Sydney Holland. On 24 October 1874 at Sydenham, Kent, he married Cecilia Rogers, a fellow art-student.

View the full record at Australian Dictionary of Biography Online

May Gibbs emigrated with her family to South Australia in 1881. She studied art in London, but returned to live in Perth, where she worked for the Western Mail. She moved to Sydney in 1913. Gibbs became known for her witty illustrations and her work was in demand. The first in her famous bush babies series, Gumnut Babies, was published in 1916. Snugglepot and Cuddlepie followed in 1918. Her cartoon strip, 'Bib and Bub', appeared in the Sydney Sunday News from 1925, while a second strip, 'Tiggy Touchwood', was published in the Sunday Sun under the pseudonym of Stan Cottman. May Gibbs was appointed MBE in 1955.

View the full record at Australian Women's Register

Creator of the famous tales of Snugglepot and Cuddlepie, the Gumnut babies, Gibbs began her career as a cartoonist and hoped to be recognised as an exhibiting painter. She travelled to London whenever she could to study and improve her technique. Not especially social with other artists (although she did exhibit regularly), she would become better known for enchanting the public with her charming illustrated works.

cartoonist and illustrator, was born on 17 January 1877 at Sydenham, Kent, England, only daughter of Cecilia, née Rogers, and Herbert William Gibbs, artist, cartoonist and public servant, who had married when both were art students. May arrived at Adelaide with her mother and brothers in the Hesperus on 31 October 1881, following her father who had come out in June. They moved to WA in 1885 and lived on a farm at Claremont until moving to Perth in 1889 where May ...

Flourished

  • fl. 1891-1967

View the full record at Design and Art Australia Online

May Gibbs (1877−1969) came to Australia at the age of four. Even as a child May drew and painted‚ encouraged by her parents. She studied art‚ both in Western Australia and in England‚ before settling in Sydney to follow a successful career as a writer and illustrator of children’s books. Her most famous book‚ Tales of Snugglepot and Cuddlepie‚ was published in 1918. Her bestselling series featuring the Gumnut babies‚ their friends and their foes‚ established an enduring mythology of the Australian bush for generations raised firmly on traditional European fairytales. In 1955‚ she received an MBE for her contribution to children’s literature.

View the full record at Libraries Australia

Related people and organisations

Resources for May Gibbs

Selected resources (25)

Australian Dictionary of Biography Online

Australian Women's Register

  1. The Complete Adventures of Snugglepot and Cuddlepie
    Gibbs, May
    [1942]
    Published: Angus & Robertson
  2. About Us
    Gibbs, May
    [1912]
    Published: E.P. Dutton
  3. Alphabet Book
    Gibbs, May
    [1992]
    Published: Collins Angus & Robertson
  4. Bib and Bub in Gumnut Town
    Gibbs, May
    [1929]
    Published: Halstead Press
  5. Bib and Bub: Their Adventures
    Gibbs, May
    [1925]
    Published: Cornstalk
  6. Boronia Babies
    Gibbs, May
    [1919]
    Published: Angus & Robertson
  7. Chucklebud and Wunkydoo
    Gibbs, May
    [1924]
    Published: Osboldstone & Co.
  8. Wattle Babies
    Gibbs, May
    [1918]
    Published: Angus & Robertson
  9. Flannel Flowers and Other Bush Babies
    Gibbs, May
    [1921]
    Published: Angus & Robertson
  10. The Further Adventures of Bib and Bub
    Gibbs, May
    [1927]
    Published: Cornstalk
  11. Gum Blossom Babies
    Gibbs, May
    [1916]
    Published: Angus & Robertson
  12. Little Obelia, and further adventures of Ragged Blossom, Snugglepot & Cuddlepie
    Gibbs, May
    [1921]
    Published: Angus & Robertson
  13. The Magic of May Gibbs
    Gibbs, May
    [2008]
    Published: Murray David Publishing
  14. More Funny Stories
    Gibbs, May
    [1928]
    Published: Cornstalk
  15. Mr and Mrs Bear and Friends
    Gibbs, May
    [1943]
    Published: Angus & Robertson
  16. Nuttybub and Nittersing
    Gibbs, May
    [1923]
    Published: Osboldstone & Co.
  17. Prince Dande Lion: A Garden Whim-Wham
    Gibbs, May
    [1953]
    Published: Ure Smith
  18. Scotty in Gumnut Land
    Gibbs, May
    [1941]
    Published: Angus & Robertson
  19. Gumnut Babies
    Gibbs, May
    [2001]
    Published: Angus & Robertson
  20. The May Gibbs Collection
    Walsh, Maureen
    [1985]
    Published: Angus & Robertson
  21. An Interview with May Gibbs
    Walsh, Maureen
    [1986]
    Published: Bustle Productions Pty Ltd
  22. May Gibbs, Mother of the Gumnuts
    Walsh, Maureen
    [2007]
    Published: Sydney University Press
  23. Gibbs, Cecilia May (1877-1969)Australian Dictionary of Biography Online : Gibbs, Cecilia May (1877-1969)
    [2006]
    Published: Australian National University
    Series: http://www.adb.online.anu.edu.au/biogs/A080734b.htm
  24. 200 Australian Women: A Redress Anthology
    Radi, Heather
    [1988]
    Published: Women's Redress Press

Resources by May Gibbs (161)

  1. May Gibbs, mother of the gumnuts / Maureen Walsh
    Walsh, Maureen, 1932-
    [ Book, Audio book : 1985-2007 ]
    At 113 libraries
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 82.36)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 82.36)

  2. May Gibbs embroidery / designs by Alison Snepp
    Snepp, Alison
    [ Book : 1994 ]
    At 32 libraries
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 50.635)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 50.635)

  3. May Gibbs ... diary
    Gibbs, May, 1877-1969
    [ Periodical : 1900-2011 ]
    At State Library of VIC
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 43.22)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 43.22)

  4. May Gibbs needlepoint / designs by Alison Snepp
    Snepp, Alison
    [ Book : 1994 ]
    At 32 libraries
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 42.298)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 42.298)

  5. The magic of May Gibbs : a collection of original monochrome illustrations, coloured adaptations of original monochrome illustrations, and original colour illustrations : from: Snugglepot and Cuddlepie, Little Ragged Blossom, Little Obelia, Gumnut ba...
    Gibbs, May, 1877-1969
    [ Book : 2008 ]
    At 48 libraries
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 36.584)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 36.584)

  6. Chucklebud and Wunkydoo / by May Gibbs
    Gibbs, May, 1877-1969
    [ Book : 1910-1999 ]
    At 30 libraries
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 34.738)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 34.738)

  7. An Interview with May Gibbs / director/producer, Maureen Walsh
    Gibbs, May, 1877-1969
    [ Video : 1986-1999 ]
    At 25 libraries
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 29.851)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 29.851)

  8. The complete adventures of Snugglepot and Cuddlepie / pictures & words by May Gibbs
    Gibbs, May, 1877-1969
    [ Book, Audio book, Sound : 1900-2010 ]
    read online at Open Library/Internet Archive
    View online
    At 124 libraries
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 27.498)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 27.498)

  9. May Gibbs and her fantasy world / by Robert Holden ; exhibition by the James Hardie Library ; held in the Royal Botanic Gardens Visitors' Centre, Sydney, 30 November 1984 - 31 January 1985
    James Hardie Library
    [ Book : 1984-1986 ]
    At 16 libraries
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 21.542)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 21.542)

  10. Gumnut babies / May Gibbs
    Gibbs, May, 1877-1969
    [ Book : 1916-2001 ]
    Languages: English, Japanese
    At 49 libraries
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 19.349)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 19.349)

More...

Resources about May Gibbs (80)

  1. May Gibbs, mother of the gumnuts / Maureen Walsh
    Walsh, Maureen, 1932-
    [ Book, Audio book : 1985-2007 ]
    At 113 libraries
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 81.551)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 81.551)

  2. May Gibbs embroidery / designs by Alison Snepp
    Snepp, Alison
    [ Book : 1994 ]
    At 32 libraries
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 51.285)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 51.285)

  3. May Gibbs needlepoint / designs by Alison Snepp
    Snepp, Alison
    [ Book : 1994 ]
    At 32 libraries
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 43.121)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 43.121)

  4. May Gibbs ... diary
    Gibbs, May, 1877-1969
    [ Periodical : 1900-2011 ]
    At State Library of VIC
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 41.85)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 41.85)

  5. The magic of May Gibbs : a collection of original monochrome illustrations, coloured adaptations of original monochrome illustrations, and original colour illustrations : from: Snugglepot and Cuddlepie, Little Ragged Blossom, Little Obelia, Gumnut ba...
    Gibbs, May, 1877-1969
    [ Book : 2008 ]
    At 48 libraries
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 36.422)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 36.422)

  6. Chucklebud and Wunkydoo / by May Gibbs
    Gibbs, May, 1877-1969
    [ Book : 1910-1999 ]
    At 30 libraries
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 34.335)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 34.335)

  7. An Interview with May Gibbs / director/producer, Maureen Walsh
    Gibbs, May, 1877-1969
    [ Video : 1986-1999 ]
    At 25 libraries
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 29.997)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 29.997)

  8. May Gibbs knits / designs by Kathy Jarvis, Wyn McNamara and Sue Morton
    Jarvis, Kathy
    [ Book : 1993 ]
    At 45 libraries
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 22.5)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 22.5)

  9. May Gibbs : more than a fairytale : an artistic life / Robert Holden & Jane Brummitt
    Holden, Robert
    [ Book : 2011 ]
    At 66 libraries
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 22.452)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 22.452)

  10. May Gibbs and her fantasy world / by Robert Holden ; exhibition by the James Hardie Library ; held in the Royal Botanic Gardens Visitors' Centre, Sydney, 30 November 1984 - 31 January 1985
    James Hardie Library
    [ Book : 1984-1986 ]
    At 16 libraries
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 21.592)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 21.592)

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  1. Gibbs, Herbert William (1852-1940)
    ... GIBBS, HERBERT WILLIAM (1852-1940), public servant and artist, and CECILIA MAY ...
    This resource is likely to be relevant to your query (score: 0.163)

    This resource is likely to be relevant to your query (score: 0.163)

  2. Gibbs, May (1877-1969)
    ... May Gibbs (18771969) came to Australia at the age of four. Even as a child May drew and painted ...
    This resource is likely to be relevant to your query (score: 0.129)

    This resource is likely to be relevant to your query (score: 0.129)

  3. Nutcote: Home of May Gibbs
    ... Nutcote was the harbourside home of the famous children's author and illustrator May Gibbs. It was ...
    This resource may have relevance to your query (score: 0.015)

    This resource may have relevance to your query (score: 0.015)

  1. Website: Nutcote : home of May Gibbs
    www.maygibbs.com.au
    Matching pages:
    View 97 matching archived pages
    This resource is likely to be relevant to your query (score: 0.182)

    This resource is likely to be relevant to your query (score: 0.182)

  2. Website: May Gibbs Children's Literature Trust
    www.maygibbs.org.au
    Matching pages:
    View 64 matching archived pages
    This resource is likely to be relevant to your query (score: 0.063)

    This resource is likely to be relevant to your query (score: 0.063)

  3. Website: 200 Australian Women
    www.200australianwomen.com
    Matching pages:
    • Cecilia May Gibbs - 5/11/2007
    • ... [Cecilia May Gibbs]May Gibbs 1877 - 1969 author & illustrator Cecilia May Gibbs (1877-1969), author...
    View 5 matching archived pages
    This resource is likely to be relevant to your query (score: 0.055)

    This resource is likely to be relevant to your query (score: 0.055)

  1. [Allison Gibbs : Australian Art and Artists file]
    Gibbs, Allison
    [ Published : 2008 ]
    At State Library of VIC
    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.145)

    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.145)

  2. Bigelow, Mary Gibbs
    Mary Gibbs Bigelow
    [ Unpublished ]
    View online (access conditions)
    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.116)

    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.116)

  3. Archaeological report on Shark Bay field trip, May 1986 / authors : Martin Gibbs ...[et al.], 1986
    Gibbs, Martin
    [ Unpublished : 1986 ]
    At AIATSIS Library
    This resource may only be vaguely related to your query: matching terms may only have been found in the full text contents of the resource (score: 0.069)

    This resource may only be vaguely related to your query: matching terms may only have been found in the full text contents of the resource (score: 0.069)

  1. The Wilderness, May 5 & 6, 1864
    King, David H., b. 1835.; Gibbs, A. Judson; Northup, Jay H., b. 1843.
    [ Map : 1895 ]
    View online
    This resource may only be vaguely related to your query: matching terms may only have been found in the full text contents of the resource (score: 0.03)

    This resource may only be vaguely related to your query: matching terms may only have been found in the full text contents of the resource (score: 0.03)

  2. Kurrajong Slopes near Richmond : for auction sale at the School of Arts Richmond, Saturday 1st May at 3.o'clock
    Gibbs, Shallard & Co
    [ Map : 1900 ]
    At State Library of NSW
    This resource may only be vaguely related to your query: matching terms may only have been found in the full text contents of the resource (score: 0.027)

    This resource may only be vaguely related to your query: matching terms may only have been found in the full text contents of the resource (score: 0.027)

  3. "The salient" at Spottsylvania [sic]. [May 10-12, 1864]
    King, David H., b. 1835.; Gibbs, A. Judson; Northup, Jay H., b. 1843.
    [ Map : 1865 ]
    View online
    This resource may only be vaguely related to your query: matching terms may only have been found in the full text contents of the resource (score: 0.026)

    This resource may only be vaguely related to your query: matching terms may only have been found in the full text contents of the resource (score: 0.026)

  1. Interview with James Frank Gibbs / Interviewer: Francine Gibbs
    Gibbs, James Frank, 1919-
    [ Sound : 1984 ]
    At State Library S Aust
    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.112)

    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.112)

  2. Interview with Sylvia Gibbs : Red Cross in Wanneroo
    Gibbs, Sylvia May, 1911-
    [ Sound : 1994 ]
    At 2 libraries
    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.107)

    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.107)

  3. Interview with Bill Gibbs / Interviewer: Judith Woolston
    Gibbs, Bill, 1918-
    [ Sound : 1982 ]
    At State Library S Aust
    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.105)

    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.105)

  4. Interview with Sylvia M. Gibbs (nee Leach) : pioneer
    Gibbs, Sylvia May, 1911-
    [ Sound : 1994 ]
    At Joondalup Public
    This resource may only be vaguely related to your query: matching terms may only have been found in the full text contents of the resource (score: 0.088)

    This resource may only be vaguely related to your query: matching terms may only have been found in the full text contents of the resource (score: 0.088)

  1. Boronia babies / May Gibbs
    May Gibbs 1877-1969
    [ Book : 1986 ]
    read online at Open Library/Internet Archive
    View online
    This resource may have relevance to your query (score: 0.509)

    This resource may have relevance to your query (score: 0.509)

  2. The gumnuts' year / written and illustrated by Vicky Kitanov ; based on the characters created by May Gibbs
    Kitanov, Vicky
    [ Book : 1993 ]
    At 32 libraries
    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.326)

    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.326)

  3. May Gibbs Children's Literature Trust : supporting the creativeness and careers of contemporary Australian children's authors and illustrators
    May Gibbs Children's Literature Trust
    [ Archived website : 2002 ]
    View online
    At 3 libraries
    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.27)

    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.27)

  4. Proceedings of the Gibbs Symposium : Yale University, May 15-17, 1989 / D.G. Caldi, G.D. Mostow, editors
    Gibbs Symposium Yale University) (1989 :
    [ Conference Proceedings : 1990 ]
    At 9 libraries
    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.187)

    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.187)

  1. Portrait of May Gibbs, ca. 1916
    [ Photograph : 1916 ]
  2. May Gibbs' gum-blossom baby calenda...
    Gibbs, May, 187...
    [ Poster, chart, other : 1930 ]
  3. Read-in for Nutcote : May Gibbs Wee...
    Gibbs, May, 187...
    [ Poster, chart, other : 1990 ]
  4. I hardly like delivering the goods ...
    Gibbs, May, 187...
    [ Art work : 1980-1989 ]
  5. Snugglepot and cuddlepie : the fant...
    Gibbs, May, 187...
    [ Poster, chart, other : 1986 ]
  6. Tales of Snugglepot and Cuddlepie :...
    Gibbs, May, 187...
    [ Art work : 1989 ]
  1. Cecilia May Gibbs, 1877/ 1969
    Chapman, Jean
    Orana
    [ Article : 1989 ]
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 1.226)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 1.226)

  2. Cecilia May Gibbs, 1877-1969
    Chapman, J
    Orana
    [ Article : 1989 ]
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 1.125)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 1.125)

  3. Proceedings of the Gibbs Symposium : Yale University, May 15-17, 1989 / D.G. Caldi, G.D. Mostow, editors
    Gibbs Symposium Yale University) (1989 :
    [ Conference Proceedings : 1990 ]
    At 9 libraries
    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.159)

    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.159)

  4. Collecting May Gibbs
    Holroyd, John
    Biblionews and Australian Notes and Queries
    [ Article : 1978 ]
    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.149)

    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.149)

  1. Newtown May Get Gibbs
    The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954) Tuesday 29 March 1949 p 8 Article
    ... Newtown May Get Gibbs Kangaroo prop-forward Alf Gibbs has applied to ' the N.S.W. Rugby League for permission to play with Newtown this season. Gibbs has notified the quali- fications committee that ... town as from March l8. .Gibbs, however, will not be available for Newtown, until after 24 days ... 178 words
    This resource is likely to be relevant to your query (score: 1.134)

    This resource is likely to be relevant to your query (score: 1.134)

  2. MISS MAY GIBBS AGAIN.
    Sunday Times (Perth, WA : 1902 - 1954) Sunday 21 November 1920 Section: Second Section p 1 Article
    ... MISS MAY GIBBS AGAIN. Our W.A. artist-we claim her though she has. eloped to Sydney is again to ... pictures. There is no doubt Miss May. Gibbs has discovered fairyland in our typical Australian flora. ... bush so distinct from any other in the world. Miss Gibbs has dealt with them all as u child-lover ... 199 words
    This resource is likely to be relevant to your query (score: 1.132)

    This resource is likely to be relevant to your query (score: 1.132)

  3. Miss May Gibbs
    The Mail (Adelaide, SA : 1912 - 1954) Saturday 12 December 1925 p 17 Article
    ... Miss May Gibbs {WRITTEN BY HERSELF) '? An invitation to write about myself! Delightful! I shall ... and Bub. MAY GIBBS. ... of the writers of those unanswered letters read this, may I beg their forgiveness and patience, for ... 1056 words
    This resource is likely to be relevant to your query (score: 1.129)

    This resource is likely to be relevant to your query (score: 1.129)