May 16, 1906

Margret Rey, (May 16, 1906 to December 21, 1996) and her husband H. A., were both Jewish and both from Hamburg. They had escaped to Paris during the thirties, where they continued their careers as illustrators. They soon had to flee again, leaving this time, on bicycles a few days before the city fell. They got to New York via Brazil, and their work was well received -- although their star creation had already seen print in Paris -- the monkey, 'Curious George'. A 1942 book, entitled originally "Monkey Business" got the new title of "Don't Frighten the Lion," so as not to confuse the Curious George series. "Don't Frighten the Lion" had a paper doll and clothes printed inside the front cover.
The Reys' own lives were more interesting than their artistic output.