Margaret Senior OAM (1917 – 25 January 1995) was an English/Australian Natural History, Wildlife and Children's Book Illustrator. She contributed to a significant portion of early Illustration of Australia's exploration of rich natural Fauna and Flora. Her works are held in the collections of New South Wales Department of Primary Industries Orange Scientific Collections Unit and The University of Newcastle Special Collections Archives.Margaret Senior Archives Living Histories, accessed 16 August 2022, https://livinghistories.newcastle.edu.au/nodes/view/72938 She created numerous Illustrated posters and Botanical Plates for the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service. Her illustrations were heavily used by parks and Wildlife, including Bushfire prevention posters.
Growing up in London Senior moved to Australia in the 1940's. She left a bequest of $50,000 gift left to the University of Newcastle. Known for its Bachelor of Illustration (Natural History) established in 2003. This was up until the Bachelor of Natural History Illustration its disestablishment in 2019. Senior also left the copyright of her published work to the University, including a large number of her original artworks. She contributed $10,000 during her lifetime to the Margaret Senior Wildlife Illustration Award for one excellent graduating student each year.
Senior was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia in the 1988 Queen's Birthday Honours List for services to wildlife conservation.
Illustrated books Senior illustrated numerous books during her career. Most notably 'The Australia Book' which won the 1952 Children's Book of the Year Award: Older Readers. +YearTitleAuthorIllustratorPublisher1950Little Brown Piccaninnies of TasmaniaFletcher, Jane. and Senior, Margaret. Little brown piccaninnies of Tasmania / by Jane Ada Fletcher; illustrated by Margaret Senior John Sands Sydney 1950. https://catalogue.nla.gov.au/Record/2234359Jane Ada FletcherMargaret SeniorJohn Sands Ltd.1950The story of Kurri Kurri the KookaburraRees, Leslie. and Senior, Margaret. The story of Kurri Kurri the Kookaburra / written by Leslie Rees; illustrated by Margaret Senior John Sands [Sydney] 1950. https://catalogue.nla.gov.au/Record/715794Leslie Rees AMMargaret SeniorJohn Sands Ltd.1951Two-Thumbs : the story of a koalaLeslie Rees AMMargaret SeniorJohn Sands Ltd.1952The Australia BookEve PownallMargaret SeniorJohn Sands Ltd.1952Bush Haven Animals: An Australian picture storySenior, Margaret. (1954). Bush haven animals : an Australian picture story. Sydney : John SandsMargaret SeniorMargaret SeniorJohn Sands Ltd.1955Cousins-come-lately: adventures in old Sydney townPownall, Eve. and Senior, Margaret. Cousins-come-lately : adventures in old Sydney town / by Eve Pownall; illustrated by Margaret Senior Shakespeare Head Press Sydney 1955Eve PownallMargaret SeniorShakespeare Head Press1955John of the SiriusDoris ChadwickMargaret SeniorThomas Nelson and Sons1957The story of Koonaworra the black SwanRees, Leslie. and Senior, Margaret. The story of Koonaworra the black swan / written by Leslie Rees; illustrated by Margaret Senior John Sands Sydney 1957Leslie Rees AMMargaret SeniorJohn Sands Ltd.1958Snow boyNoreen ShelleyMargaret SeniorJohn Sands Ltd1962Plants without FlowersHarris, Thistle Y. and Senior, Margaret. Plants without flowers / by Thistle Y. Harris; Illustrated by Margaret Senior Longmans Croydon, Vic 1967Thistle Y. HarrisMargaret SeniorLongmans1962John and NanbareeDoris ChadwickMargaret SeniorThomas Nelson1967Henry LawsonLevis, Ken. and Senior, Margaret. Henry Lawson / by K. Levis; illustrated by Margaret Senior Longmans Croydon, Vic 1967Ken LevisMargaret SeniorLongmans1967Larry : the story of an Australian seagullWatson, Ina. and Senior, Margaret. Larry : the story of an Australian seagull / by Ina Watson; illustrated by Margaret Senior John Sands Sydney 1967Ina WatsonMargaret SeniorJohn Sands Ltd1977A field guide to the common sea & estuary fishes of non-tropical AustraliaJames Nils ThomsonMargaret SeniorCollins1985Two at Sullivan BayWhite, K. Bibliography of Australian children's books, v. 2,Nance DonkinMargaret SeniorRoo Books1985NungaRus CenterMargaret SeniorKangaroo Press1987Australia's animalsMargaret SeniorMargaret SeniorKangaroo Press
References