The Bellmaker

Brian Jacques (pronounced 'jakes') was born in Liverpool in 1939, and grew up in Kirkdale, close to the docks. He left school at the age of fifteen and worked as a railway fireman, bus driver, postmaster and stand-up entertainer, before beginning his writing career with a residency at the renowned Everyman Theatre.

His first book for children, Redwall, was published in 1986. Twenty-one further books in the series were published to global acclaim, with millions of copies sold worldwide.

Brian died in Liverpool on 5 February 2011.