Robert Roger Ingpen (born 1936) is an Australian illustrator, author of children’s books, and graphic designer.
He was born and raised in Geelong, Victoria, Australia, and graduated from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT University) with a degree in art and illustration.
In 1958, Ingpen began working for the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) as a scientific illustrator, where his task was to interpret and depict the results of scientific research.
In 1968, he left CSIRO to work independently as a freelance illustrator, designer, and writer. Until 1975, Ingpen also worked on projects for the United Nations, particularly in Mexico and Peru, producing educational materials—mostly on fisheries and environmental conservation. He was one of the founders of the Australian Conservation Foundation, which became the country’s leading environmental organization.
Ingpen has written and illustrated more than 100 books, ranging from children’s stories to imaginative works for readers of all ages. His books often explore historical themes, as well as environmental and ecological issues. Many of them were created in collaboration with author and editor Michael Page.
Beyond book illustration, Ingpen has worked extensively in applied design: he created several series of postage stamps, designed the flag of the Northern Territory, painted murals, and designed statues and fountains. In 1982, he created the Dromkeen Medal, an Australian award for contributions to children’s literature—and in 1987, he himself received this medal.
Among the classic books illustrated by Ingpen are Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, J. M. Barrie’s Peter Pan, and Kenneth Grahame’s The Wind in the Willows, among others.
In 2007, Ingpen illustrated Ziba Came on a Boat by Liz Lofthouse, which was nominated for several major Australian literary awards, including the Children’s Book Council of Australia Awards and the Western Australian Premier’s Book Awards.
Amazon | Robert Ingpen
Robert Ingpen’s The Nutcracker and the Mouse King restores the story to its strange, dreamlike origins — far from the glittering ballet we all know. Here, the tale feels darker, deeper, and far more human. Hoffmann’s world isn’t made of sugar and snowflakes; it’s filled with shadows, curiosity, and the […]
Robert Ingpen’s The Wonderful Wizard of Oz feels like a rediscovery of a story we all think we know. His illustrations pull the reader back into the raw, original fairy tale — stranger, darker, and far more human than the film made it seem. The familiar yellow brick road turns […]
The nineteenth book in the Robert Ingpen Illustrated Classics series is Alice Through the Looking-Glass, with illustrations that the artist created on the eve of the 150th anniversary of the first edition of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Robert Ingpen is the only Australian illustrator to receive the highest award in […]
Robert Ingpen’s Alice feels like a dream you once had and half-remember still. His illustrations soften the strangeness, turning Carroll’s mad world into something quietly magical. Each picture seems to pause the story for a breath — just enough to let you look closer and find the wonder in the […]
