Figure 2.--Attitudes at English preparatoty schools toward teddies and other stuffed animals began to change in the 1970s as younger boys began brining their cherished teddies to school. By the 1980s, most children had a teddie or other stiffed animal on their bed--even the older boys. The spread of coeducation was an important factor here.

Some toy historians claim the creation of the teddy bear for England, pointing out that England's new king--Edward VII in 1902 was nicknamed "Teddy". While this is a much less likely creation of the teddy bear, it is undeniable that English writers made the teddy bear an almost necessary part of an English childhood. AA. Milne's Christopher Robin had as his best companion of course Winnie the Poo drawn by Ernest Shepard. There is also of course the wonderful Padington Bear. Even adult authors have used the teddy bear. The university student Sebastian could not part with his teddy in Evelyn Waugh’s Brideshead Revisited. Of course the actual relationship between a boy and his teddy was not al all like that. An English boy and his teddy were almost inseperable until age 8. It was at this time that most affluent boys were sent off to their preparatory boarding schools. Boys who made the mistake of bringing there cherished teddies were terribly teased and none made the mistake of returning to school with them after the first break. This continued through the 1960s. By the 1980s this had changed, in part because of the increasing tendency of the schools to become coeducational. A tour of virtaully any prep school dormitory would find the beds complete with a wide array of teddies--or more correctly stuffed animals of virtually every description. The only major difference between those of the boys and girls, other than more dinosaurs for the boys, is that the boys' teddies and other stuffed animals are slightly the worse for wear.

Edward VII

We have discussed Edward VII elsewhere throughout HBC. As the eldest son of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, he played a major in boys' fashions, especially the sailor suit and kilt. Some toy historians claim the creation of the teddy bear for England, pointing out that England's new king--Edward VII in 1902 was nicknamed "Teddy". While this is a much less likely creation of the teddy bear then the Teddy Roosevelt connection, it is undeniable that teddy bears were very important part of English childhood.

Literary Teddies

Teddy bears made have come from Germany and be nammed in America, even so it is England we often think of in association with teddies. Teddy bears have appeared in English literature, both children's books and important adult fiction. English writers depicted the teddy bear an almost necessary part of an English childhood, not doubt adding to its importance

Winnie the Poo and Christopher Robin

A.A. Milne's Christopher Robin had as his best companion of course Winnie the Poo drawn by Ernest Shepard. Christophere was a literary character based on Milne's own son named Christopher. The Winnine the Poo books made Christopher the most famous English boy with a trddy. When Christopher began school, the books had made him so famous that he was teased by the other boys. It took him some time to come to terms with the situation. I'm not sure what happened to Christopher's actual cherished teddy.

Padington Bear

There is also of course the wonderful Padington Bear. I assume he is named after Paddington Station in London. While I have seen impages of Paddiunton Bear, I never read the books as a child. Paddington Bear is not as known to American children as Winnie the Poo.

Brideshead Revisited

Even adult authors have used the teddy bear. The university student Sebastian could not part with his teddy in Evelyn Waugh’s Brideshead Revisited. The model for Sebastian is said to be Stephen Tennant, but we do not know if he actually carried around a teddy as a youth. And I don't think Tennant spent much time at university.

Relationship

Of course the actual relationship between a boy and his teddy was not al all like that pictured in Brideshead Revisited. An English boy and his teddy were almost inseperable until age 8.

School

It was at this time that most affluent boys were sent off to their preparatory boarding schools. Boys who made the mistake of bringing there cherished teddies were terribly teased and none made the mistake of returning to school with them after the first break. This continued through the 1960s. By the 1980s this had changed, in part because of the increasing tendency of the schools to become coeducational. A tour of virtaully any prep school dormitory would find the beds complete with a wide array of teddies--or more correctly stuffed animals of virtually every description. The only major difference between those of the boys and girls, other than more dinosaurs for the boys, is that the boys' teddies and other stuffed animals are slightly the worse for wear.

Individuals

Most English boys had teddies and recall them with some affection. This did not change much during the 20th century, although other kinds of stuffed companions appeared. We note several English boys with teddies archived on HBC. Of course the most famous boy with a teddy was Christopher Milne. Another example is Adrian Gerald Foley in 1926. Although in this case we do not know if it is Adrian's trddy or a studio prop.

Experiences

An English reader writes, "What a lovely image. Children and teddy's is an interestring topic. The family teddy seems to be something handed down from generation to generation as a comforter to each little un growing up. It is something a kid shares bedtime with. I recall a boy who had a reputation for being tough and strong came on a school holiday with his teddy. He fell asleep on the bus clutching it . Who would have thought this kid would have had one!"

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Created: December 6, 2002
Last updated: 9:26 PM 2/11/2011