Wilbert Awdry

The Reverend Wilbert Vere Awdry, OBE (15 June 1911 – 21 March 1997), was an English Anglican cleric, railway enthusiast, and children's author. Simply known as the Reverend W. Awdry, he was the creator of Thomas the Tank Engine, the central figure in his acclaimed "Railway Series".
Awdry was born on 15 June 1911 in Ampfield, Hampshire, England. He was raised in Box, Wiltshire, England. Awdry was educated at Marlborough House School, Sussex (1919–24), Dauntseys School, West Lavington, Wiltshire (1924–9); St Peter's Hall, Oxford (BA, 1932), and Wycliffe Hall, Oxford.
He was married to Margaret Awdry from 1938 until her death in 1989. They had three children, Christopher Awdry, Hilary Fortnum and Veronica Chambers. Awdry died on 21 March 1997 in Rodborough, Stroud, Gloucestershire, England from natural causes, aged 85.