Cicely Mary Barker (June 28 1895 - February 16 1973) was the illustrator who created the famous Flower Fairies, in the shape of ethereal smiling children with butterfly wings. As a child she was greatly influenced by the works of the illustrator Kate Greenaway, whom she assiduously copied in her formative years. Her principal influence, however, which she duly credited, was the artwork of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood.
Cicely Mary Barker was born in Croydon, England, and died in Worthing Hospital. She studied at the Croydon School of Art.