Robert Ingpen was born in 1936 in Geelong, Victoria, and educated at Geelong College. He still lives and works nearby in Barwon Heads. In 1968 he began work as freelance designer, illustrator and author. Robert has written and/or illustrated more than 100 published books. These include children's picture books and fictional stories for all ages. His nonfiction books mostly relate to history, conservation, environment and health issues. His many books on Australian life include Pioneers of Wool (1972), Marking Time (1979), Aussie Battlers (1982, with Michael Page), and Imprints of Generations (2006).

In 1986 he was awarded the Hans Christian Andersen Medal for his contribution to children's literature and, in 1989, he was awarded the Dromkeen Medal, also for his contribution to children’s literature. In 2007 he received an Order of Australia for service to literature.

More recently he has illustrated the acclaimed series of classics that began with Peter Pan and Wendy (2004) followed by Treasure Island, The Jungle Book, Wind in the Willows, A Christmas Carol, Alice in Wonderland, Tom Sawyer, The Secret Garden, The Wizard of Oz, Around the World in Eighty Days, and Just So Stories (2013). The series continues to be published in many editions worldwide.

Thirty years ago Robert Ingpen illustrated an edition of Banjo Paterson's Clancy of the Overflow. That work led him to want to look more deeply into the legend of Clancy to explain his belief that the shearer-drover-battler of the bush never was real but thankfully survives to nourish and encourage our imagination. In Looking for Clancy, Robert has turned back to Paterson's times when Clancy was created and has travelled outback to find ‘the Overflow' and other places.