Winnie-the-Pooh Turns 100: The Real Bear Behind the Famous Children's Character

On 14 October, a century passed since the first book about Winnie-the-Pooh by writer Alan Alexander Milne reached readers, introducing one of the best-known characters in children's literature. The popularity of the sawdust-stuffed bear has not faded, and he remains famous both on bookshelves and on screens.

The character has a real origin

Winnie-the-Pooh is not merely an invented figure, as his name and story have a genuine basis. According to the BBC, in 1914 a Canadian lieutenant and veterinarian, Harry Colebourn, bought a small black bear cub from a hunter at a railway station. He paid 20 dollars for it. Colebourn named the cub Winnipeg, or Winnie, and it soon became the mascot of the soldiers' unit and Colebourn's faithful travelling companion.

From the war to the zoo

When Colebourn's unit was sent to Europe, the bear went along. When the soldiers had to head to the front in France, Colebourn left Winnie at London Zoo, where the animal quickly won the sympathy of visitors.

The bear was especially popular with children. Her friendly nature also attracted a boy, Christopher Robin Milne, the writer's son. Winnie lived at London Zoo until her death in 1934, when she was 20 years old.