Sydney George Hulme Beaman

Sydney George Hulme Beaman (1887 – 4 February 1932), was a British author, actor and illustrator. He was best known as the creator of the Toytown stories and their characters, including Larry the Lamb.[1][2] He also illustrated the 1930s John Lane edition of a Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde.[3]

Early life

Beaman was born in Tottenham, Middlesex, as the oldest of three children to George Hulme Robert Beaman, a surveyor, and his wife Eleanor.[4][5] Prior to his career in radio, Sydney worked as an insurance clerk.[6]

Artistic career

Toytown was first broadcast by the BBC on 19 July 1929 in the Children's Hour BBC Radio programme.[7] Beaman would work out his ideas for the show in a miniature theatre at his home. The characters were cut out in wood and painted by him: Beamon made them perform as marionettes on the stage, and also provided the musical accompaniment.[8]

He was often in the studio when his work was being broadcast, occasionally taking part in the programme. This continued until the last Tuesday before his death.[1]

Personal life and death

Beaman married Maud Mary Poltock on 19 April 1913 at All Saints Church in Fulham, west London.[4] They had a son, Geoffrey, the following year.[9]

Sydney Beaman died from pneumonia at home in Golders Green, Middlesex, aged 44.[8][2] He was survived by his wife.[10]

References
  1. "Mr S. G. Hulme Beaman". The Guardian. 5 February 1932. p. 10. Retrieved 25 April 2022.
  2. General Register Office; United Kingdom; Volume: 3a; Page: 584. England & Wales, Civil Registration Death Index, 1916-2007 [database on-line].
  3. "British Library - Illustrations to Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde".
  4. London Metropolitan Archives; London, England; London Church of England Parish Registers; Reference Number: P77/ALL/033. London, England, Church of England Marriages and Banns, 1754-1936 [database on-line].
  5. London Metropolitan Archives; London, England; London Church of England Parish Registers; Reference Number: DRO/066/005. London, England, Church of England Births and Baptisms, 1813-1920 [database on-line].
  6. The National Archives of the UK (TNA); Kew, Surrey, England; Census Returns of England and Wales, 1911 [database on-line].
  7. "BBC - The BBC Story - Great Moments". www.bbc.co.uk. Archived from the original on 31 August 2009.
  8. "Mr S. G. Hulme Beaman". The Daily Telegraph. 5 February 1932. p. 13. Retrieved 25 April 2022.
  9. London Metropolitan Archives; London, England; London Church of England Parish Registers. London, England, Church of England Births and Baptisms, 1813-1920 [database on-line].
  10. England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1858-1995 [database on-line]. Principal Probate Registry. Calendar of the Grants of Probate and Letters of Administration made in the Probate Registries of the High Court of Justice in England. London, England.
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