Harold Avery (1867–1943) was an English author of children's literature. Charles Harold Avery was born on 13 April 1867 in Headless Cross/Feckenham near Redditch, Worcestershire, England. He was the son of William Avery (1832–1899), a needle manufacturer from Headless Cross/Redditch. His father was the owner of the W. Avery & Son company which made needles, pins and needle cases during the second half of the nineteenth century. His mother was Marie Proctor Dingley (1832–1895), originally of Sherbourne, Dorset. Charles had one sibling, an older brother named Benjamin Ricardo Avery (1862–1947). His grandparents were John Avery (1807–1865) a needle maker and needle manufacturer from Headless Cross and his wife Catherine (née Johnson) Avery (1806–1888); and William Dingley (1801-after 1851), a mercer and draper from Sherbourne, Dorset and his wife Grace (née Pease) Dingley (1801-after 1851). On the Avery side of the family he had two uncles, both needle manufacturers: Charles Avery (1834–1911) and Joseph Avery (1839–1915); an aunt Catherine (née Avery) Hancox (1842–1875); and four cousins: Mary Hancox, Helen Hancox, Charles Owen Hancox and John James Hancox. Charles attended school at Compton Place Road New College in Eastbourne, Sussex and when his studies were completed, went to work for his father in Headless Cross as a needle manufacturer assistant. Less