James Herriot Biography

James Herriot, born as James Alfred Wight, was a successful British veterinary surgeon and celebrated author. He spent his days treating animals far and wide, collecting many anecdotes along the way. At the age of fifty, he began writing these stories down, eventually publishing his first book under the pen name James Herriot. Despite initially selling only twelve hundred copies, his work gained global acclaim. His book, ‘All Creatures Great and Small,’ was adapted into a film and television series. Herriot continued to write and treat animals until his retirement in 1980. He published his last book in 1992 and sadly passed away three years later from prostate cancer.

Quick Facts

  • British Celebrities Born In October
  • Also Known As: James Alfred Wight
  • Died At Age: 78
  • Family:
    • Spouse/Ex-: Joan Catherine Anderson Danbury
    • Father: James (1890–1960), James Henry Wight
    • Mother: Hannah Bell (1890–1980) Wight, Hannah Bell Wight
    • Children: James Alexander Wight, Rosemary Page (Née Wight)
  • Born Country: England
  • Quotes By James Herriot
  • British Men
  • Died on: February 23, 1995
  • Place of Death: Thirlby, North Yorkshire, England, United Kingdom
  • Cause of Death: Prostate Cancer.
  • More Facts
  • Education: Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons
  • Awards: Officer of the Order of the British Empire

Childhood & Early Life

James Herriot was born on 3 October 1916, in Sunderland, England, as James Alfred Wight. His father, James Henry Wight, was a ship plater and a pianist who played background music for silent films. His mother, Hannah Bell Wight, was a singer and dressmaker. After their marriage, she stayed behind in Sunderland to give birth to their son while her husband went to Glasgow to seek better opportunities. She joined him three weeks later.

James began his education at Yorker Primary School in Glasgow in August 1921 and later moved to Hillhead High School in September 1928. Around the age of thirteen, he read a magazine article about the life of a veterinary surgeon, which inspired him to pursue that career. He graduated from Hillhead High School in June 1933 and entered Glasgow Veterinary College, where he graduated in December 1939.

Career as a Veterinary Surgeon

In January 1940, James moved to Sunderland to work as an assistant to veterinary surgeon J.J. McDowall. He then moved to Thirsk, North Yorkshire, to start his own rural practice. He worked with Donald Vaughan Sinclair, treating farm animals and testing cows for TB. He lived and worked out of a building on Kirkgate, which served as his consulting room, waiting room, dispensary, and surgery.

In 1942, James joined the Royal Air Force but was discharged due to ill health after one year. He returned to Thirsk and continued working with the Sinclair brothers. He eventually became a full partner in Donald Sinclair’s farm in 1949. Despite his desire to write, he was busy with his practice and family, delaying his literary ambitions.

Career as James Herriot, the Author

In 1966, James shared his daily experiences with his wife, mentioning that he was saving certain incidents for a book he planned to write. His wife challenged him, saying that vets of his age don’t write first books. Taking it as a challenge, James taught himself how to type and began writing. After several rejections, he decided to write about his experiences as a vet.

To maintain professional ethics, James used the pseudonym James Herriot since it was unethical for a vet to advertise. In 1970, his first book, “If Only They Could Talk,” was published. Although it wasn’t initially successful, his second book, “It Shouldn’t Happen to a Vet,” published in 1971, became a global bestseller when it was released in the USA as “All Creatures Great and Small.”

James continued to write and publish more books, including “Let Sleeping Vets Lie” (1973), “Vet in Harness” (1974), and “Vets Might Fly” (1976). His books were adapted into films and a television series. His last book, “Every Living Thing,” was published in 1992.

Major Works

James Herriot is best known for his semi-autobiographical compilation work, “All Creatures Great and Small.” The stories are centered around the fictional town of Darrowby, based on Thirsk and other nearby towns. His friends, Donald and Brian, were portrayed as Siegfried and Tristan Farnon, and his wife as Helen Anderson.

Awards & Achievements

In 1979, James Herriot was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire for his services to veterinary sciences. He also received an honorary Doctorate of Letters from Heriot-Watt University in the same year. In 1982, he was made a Fellow of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, and in 1983, he received an honorary Doctorate of Veterinary Science from Liverpool University.

Family & Personal Life

James Herriot married Joan Catherine Anderson Danbury in 1941, and they had two children together. He was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 1991 and passed away on 23 February 1995. His home in Thirsk has been turned into a museum called “The World of James Herriot,” and a statue in his honor was erected at Thirsk Race Course in 2014.

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