The first collection of stories ("My Uncle Silas") was published in 1939, though the first story (introducing the character), "The Lily", was first published separately about six years previously, and had been followed by "The Wedding" and "The Death of Uncle Silas". In a large public correspondence to the author, the British and colonial public demanded the resurrection of Uncle Silas; and so a further 11 stories were written to complete the volume, illustrated by Edward Ardizzone. Various book-club editions and reprints have followed.