Biography

Born in St Albans, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom as Michael Andrew Bridge Morpurgo, he is a British author, poet, playwright, and librettist, best known for his children's books. He was born as the second child of actors Tony Van Bridge and Kippe Cammaerts, his older brother is a director Pieter Morpurgo. Being born during the Second World War, he was evacuated to Northumberland as a child, along with his brother before moving to London and then to Bradwell-on-Sea. He was sent to a boarding school at 7. Encouraged by his father, he tried for the Army before dropping out of the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst after nine months to attend King's College London, reading English, French, and Philosophy. He worked as a teacher before starting his writing career. His first book, All Around the Year, was co-written by Morpurgo's mentor Ted Hughes. He wrote dozens of books, many of which were adapted into movies, including Friend or Foe (1982), When the Whales Came (1989), and Private Peaceful (2012), and the theatre adaptation of [error] won many awards, including two Olivier Awards and five Tony Awards. In addition to his work as a writer, he's involved with charities aiming to help children. He's been married to Clare Morpurgo (nee Lane) since 1963, they have three children.