Russell Hoban

Russell Hoban was born in 1925 in Lansdale, Pennsylvania, near Philadelphia, to Jewish immigrants from Ostrog, in what is now Ukraine. His father died when Russell was eleven. After briefly attending Temple University, he joined the army at eighteen and served as a radio operator in Italy and the Philippines during the Second World War, earning a Bronze Star. During his service he married Lillian Aberman, who became an illustrator, and they had four children. After the war he worked as an illustrator, painting covers for Time and other magazines, and as an advertising copywriter. His paintings of heavy machinery led to his first children's book, What Does It Do and How Does It Work? (1959). Bedtime for Frances (1960), about a little badger who finds many reasons not to go to sleep, was the first of several books about Frances, most illustrated by Lillian. He also wrote The Mouse and His Child. In 1969 he moved to London, where he lived for the rest of his life and wrote novels for adults, including Riddley Walker (1980). He died in London in 2011.

Russell Hoban is also an author in the library: author page and works.

Faith: Born to Jewish immigrant parents; his personal beliefs are not well documented. Source: Wikipedia