Description
Born, James Alfred Wight, in Sunderland, England, Alf Wight grew up loving animals and early in his life chose to become a veterinarian. After studying at Glasgow Veterinary College he started his career in 1940 and relocated to practice at Skeldale House, 23 Kirkgate, Thirsk, located in the Yorkshire Dales. Wight always kept a diary or journal, making notes on his daily activities. In the early 60s, he started submitting his short stories about a veterinarian’s life to various publishers before being picked up and later submitted his work to a U.S. publishing firm. He chose the pen name, James Herriot. Repackaged as a novel, the stories became popular and were later turned into a BBC TV series. He retired in 1989-90 from his practice and his son took over the practice.
Wight studied the writings of Conan Doyle and P.G. Wodehouse and used them as models when he began to write his stories which would become All Creatures Great and Small. He based the characters in his work on real-life individuals with whom he came in contact. His real-life veterinarian partner, Donald Sinclair, and brother, Brian, became Siegfried and Tristan Farnon. His wife, Joan Danbury, became Helen Alderson, and his clients were an amalgamation of the many farmers and residents of Thirsk and surrounding villages. The former veterinary surgery, Skeldale House, is now a museum.
This James Alfred Wight aka James Herriot History Mug is part of our Author Series which includes many unique individuals.
The biographical History Mugs were created to teach and inspire individuals to learn about our diverse and interesting history. The biographies were researched and written by history enthusiast, Robert Compton. He colorized most of the historic photos and images used on the mugs, which were originally black and white or sepia tone. The images and biographies are imprinted on mugs at his studio in rural Vermont.
- Mugs are food and microwave safe.
- To preserve photographic quality we recommend hand washing.
- Mugs are usually shipped within 3-5 days.
