90 years of Penguin books marked at the Devon station where the paperback was born

Devon-based Clare and Michael Morpurgo were among those reflecting on the life of Sir Allen Lane

From L to R: Exeter City of Literature's Communications Associate Jordan Thomas, Exeter City of Literature's Executive Director Anna Cohn Orchard, Clare Morpurgo (daughter of Penguin's founder Sir Allen Lane), Michael Morpurgo, Exeter City of Literature's Events Producer Luke Jeffrey, and Exeter City of Literature's Trustee Tom Staniford).

Author: Andrew KayPublished 3rd Aug 2025

A service has been held at Exeter's St Davids train station to mark 90 years of Penguin books - and the city's role in shaping the way generations would read.

Sir Allen Lane had the idea whilst returning from seeing Devon's Agatha Christie

Exeter UNESCO City of Literature’s Executive Director Anna Orchard commenced the celebration by highlighting 'the lasting legacy of Sir Allen Lane in Exeter, and heralded the future of stories and storytelling in the region'.

Clare and Michael Morpurgo then took the time to honour Clare’s father Sir Allen Lane, important figures of Devon’s literary community, and the importance of access to books for children.

Jordan Thomas, a spokesperson for the event, said: "A selection of books from Penguin’s 90 year archive were hidden at the station as gifts for passengers travelling to-and-from Exeter Central, as well as to London Paddington - a fitting journey for a Penguin book as this was the very train Sir Allen Lane was waiting for all those years ago when inspiration struck to create the now iconic publishing house whilst waiting at Exeter St Davids in 1934."

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