W Awdry

Wilbert Vere Awdry, known as Rev. W. Awdry, was an English Anglican clergyman, railway enthusiast, and children's author best known for creating Thomas the Tank Engine and the Railway Series books[1][2]. Born in 1911 near Romsey, Hampshire, he began telling stories about anthropomorphic trains to his son, leading to the publication of the first book in 1945, with the series selling millions of copies worldwide[1][3][4]. He wrote 26 books until 1972, and his works inspired the television series Thomas & Friends[2].