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Elisabeth Beresford

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Author

The Resume

    (August 6, 1926-December 24, 2010)
    Born in Paris, France
    Wrote 24 children's books featuring the Wombles, furry creatures that collect and recycle rubbish
    Stories were the basis of a BBC stop-motion animated TV series (1973-75)
    Made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to children's literature (1998)

Why she might be annoying:

    She got started by ghostwriting speeches for politicians.
    Working as a radio journalist, she was so distracted by Richard Burton's blue eyes that she forgot her interview questions.
    The BBC, despite feeling that her books had great television potential, did not care for her illustrations. ('Monica Sims, who was the head of children’s programming at the BBC, said, after looking at the original books: ‘Elisabeth, we don’t think that’s what a Womble looks like.' ')

Why she might not be annoying:

    She said of the Wombles' success, 'It makes people laugh and that’s the main thing.'
    During the Troubles in Northern Ireland, she agreed to appear in Belfast on the condition that she be allowed to read to Protestant and Catholic children together.
    She noted about one unlikely fan, 'When I went to get my MBE from the Queen, she talked nonstop about them. She knew more about the Wombles than I did.'

Credit: C. Fishel


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    For 2024, as of last weekly ranking, Out of 2 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2023, Out of 6 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 5 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 9 Votes: 55.56% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 4 Votes: 75.00% Annoying
    In 2019, Out of 6 Votes: 33.33% Annoying
    In 2018, Out of 3 Votes: 33.33% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 4 Votes: 75.00% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 6 Votes: 66.67% Annoying
    In 2015, Out of 4 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2014, Out of 6 Votes: 83.33% Annoying
    In 2013, Out of 9 Votes: 55.56% Annoying
    In 2012, Out of 6 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2011, Out of 11 Votes: 72.73% Annoying