Author · b. 1927–2014

Eric Hill

September 2004Eric Hill Biography

Eric Hill is the creator of Spot, ‘the world’s favourite puppy’, who appeared in his first story in 1980 and quickly became one of the best-loved pre-school characters of all time. Today his adventures remain incredibly popular and are enjoyed the world over.

Eric Hill was born on 7th September, 1927 in London, and educated at Pooles Park Elementary and Tollington Park Central schools until the outbreak of World War II. He started his first job at the age of 15 with a shipping office in the City and then joined an art studio as a messenger where he was encouraged to draw cartoons in his spare time. He particularly enjoyed drawing aircraft, and it was the markings of planes that later came to influence the design of Spot, reflected in the spots on his body and the tip of his tail.

After a spell in the airforce, Eric returned to the studio to work on his cartoons, which soon began to be published in national magazines and newspapers. He started to work in advertising and then moved onto freelancing as an art director, graphic designer and illustrator.