Brian Jacques ( 15 June 1939 - 5 February 2011 ) was an English author . He is best known for his Redwall series of books , as well as the Tribes of Redwall and Castaways of the Flying Dutchman series . James Brian Jacques ( pronounced `` Jakes '' ) ( 15 June 1939 -- 5 February 2011 ) was an English author , best known for his Redwall series of novels , as well as the Castaways of the Flying Dutchman series .