Shropshire Star

Shrewsbury Bookfest: Horrible Histories illustrator Martin Brown talks

Say the name Martin Brown to most people and they will be flummoxed as to who he is.

Published

But show them a copy of Horrible Histories and they will immediately recognise his work.

The 57-year-old has drawn some of the most recognisable faces in history – from Henry VIII to Richard III and Queen Anne.

But it is the mere peasant, the 'poor sod' as he puts it, who appeals to him the most.

"I have a reference point for the famous names," said Martin. "But the poor sods who had to deal with the slaughter, devastation and despair that their actions brought are the people that appeal to me."

Friendly

Martin was talking to the Shropshire Star ahead of his appearance at the Ashton Theatre, Shrewsbury School on Saturday at 11am as part of the weekend of events to mark Shrewsbury Bookfest.

The father of two has travelled from his home in Dorset to take part in the literary event, which he has appeared at previously in 2012.

"I really like the Shrewsbury festival," said Martin, who moved to England from his native Australia 30 years ago. "Some of the bigger festivals are very impersonal. The Green Room at the Hay Festival is a bit like an airport lounge, and I mean that in the nicest way. But the Shrewsbury festival is very friendly. I am really looking forward to it. It is a bit like catching up with old friends who you haven't seen for a while. It honestly has the nicest atmosphere of any festival I have ever been to.

"Shrewsbury has got that personal touch and it is really great."

His career as a cartoonist for Horrible Histories began more than 20 years ago when the books first hit the shelves. And now he is a little amazed to be planning the 25th anniversary of the mega series, which has sold over 25 million copies of books including The Terrible Tudors, The Beastly Barbarians and The Cut-throat Celts.

"I am really humbled that we are celebrating 25 years of Horrible Histories," said Martin. "If someone had told me all those years ago that we would be talking about it now, I would have fallen off my chair. It is quite weird to think it is so popular."

The books, which are all illustrated by Martin, were the brain child of Terry Deary and have led to TV shows and theatre productions. Martin feels a little in awe when he sees his characters on stage or screen. "They are really good at bringing the characters to life," said Martin.

"It is great to see how they are interpreted. But again, my favourites are the peasants who had to deal with the repercussions of those in power."

Martin does not just illustrate the Horrible Histories books. Last year he released his own book called Lesser Spotted Animals, in which he tells the tale of those animals, such as the Southern Right Whale Dolphin, which, while not rare, is not that well known. "There are celebrity animals," said Martin. "The meerkats and tigers who are used in advertising and are always appearing in TV shows. My book is about those animals who are just as beautiful and interesting but about whom little is known."

Creatures included in his book are the dagger-toothed flower bat and the zorilla – a striped polecat to you and me.

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