Robert Roger Ingpen (AM) (born 13 October 1936) is an Australian graphic designer, illustrator, and author. He received the biennial, international Hans Christian Andersen Award for Illustration in 1986, recognizing his "lasting contribution to children's literature".
Ingpen was born in Geelong Australia and attended Geelong College to 1957. He graduated with a Diploma of Graphic Art from RMIT where he studied with Harold Freedman.
In 1958, Ingpen was appointed by the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) as an artist to interpret and communicate the results of scientific research. From 1968 Ingpen worked as a freelance designer, illustrator and author. He was also a member of a United Nations team in Mexico and Peru until 1975, where he designed pamphlets on fisheries and was involved in "a number of Australian conservation and environmental projects". He left the CSIRO to work full-time as a freelance writer in 1968. Ingpen's interest in conservation issues continued, and he was one of the founding members of the Australian Conservation Foundation.
Ingpen has written and/or-illustrated more than 100 published books. These include children's picture books and fictional stories for all ages. His nonfiction books mostly relate to history, conservation, environment and health issues. He is a frequent collaborator with author and editor Michael Page.
Ingpen has designed many postage stamps for Australia. Ingpen designed the flag and coat of arms for the Northern Territory. Ingpen has created a number of public murals in Geelong, Melbourne, Canberra and the Gold Coast in Queensland. He also has designed bronze statues, which include the 'Poppykettle Fountain' in Geelong's Steam Packet Gardens (currently dry due to drought restrictions) and the bronze doors to the Melbourne Cricket Club. His most recent work is the design and working drawings for a tapestry, which was woven by The Victorian Tapestry Workshop, to celebrate the 150 years of the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
In 1982 Ingpen designed the Dromkeen Medal for the Governors of the Courtney Oldmeadow Children’s Literature Foundation. This medal is awarded annually to Australians in recognition of contributions to children's literature. He was awarded the medal in 1989 for his own work in the field.
Ingpen was illustrator for the centenary editions of J.M. Barrie's Peter Pan and Wendy and Kenneth Grahame's The Wind in the Willows for which he bases characterisations on contemporary figures and personalities.
In 2007 Ingpen illustrated a picture book by Liz Lofthouse called Ziba Came on a Boat, which was nominated for many Australian awards including the Australian Children's Book Council Awards and the Western Australian Premier's Book Awards.
Disappointing book. Some interesting information missing from it He talks about 3 areas that could have been The Overflow, but doesn't mention there was actually a property called The Overflow north of the Lachlan River There was a program on ABC tv in 2014 that delved into who Clancy could have been based on. These facts were very interesting and extremely plausible I would think but not mentioned in the book. Google if you are interested The author talks about all sorts of places with no actual link to Clancy at all. The book shouldn't have been called Looking for Clancy but a history of Australian life at that time for shearers and drovers- that is what it was really about. The name of the book is misleading
Absolutely, Absolutely loved this Book.!!!!! I believe every Aussie should read a clever put together story of our outback. Banjo Paterson; Clancy of the Overflow; The Man from Snowy River; and our very own Swaggie who was behind the story of A.B. Paterson's Waltzing Matilda (which almost became our National Anthem - maybe it still will. I would love and be proud to have this book on my shelf and also in Schools. Is an easy read not overwhelming with details - almost reads like beautiful Australian Bush Poetry; along with amazing sketch pencil drawings. Read it you will learn much and a book to put a smile on your face and a story in your Australian heart.