Herriot, James

orig. James Alfred Wight

born Oct. 3, 1916, Glasgow, Scot.

died Feb. 23, 1995, Thirlby, near Thirsk, Yorkshire, Eng.

British veterinarian and writer.

Wight joined the practice of two veterinarian brothers working in the Yorkshire Dales and at age 50 was persuaded by his wife to write down his collection of anecdotes. His humorous, fictionalized reminiscences were published under the name James Herriot in If Only They Could Talk (1970) and It Shouldn't Happen to a Vet (1972), which were issued in the U.S. as All Creatures Great and Small (1972). The instant best-seller inaugurated a series of highly popular books, which was adapted for two films and a long-running television series.

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▪ 1996

      (JAMES ALFRED WIGHT), Scottish-born veterinarian and writer (b. Oct. 3, 1916, Glasgow, Scotland—d. Feb. 23, 1995, Thirlby, near Thirsk, Yorkshire, England), beginning with the U.S. publication of All Creatures Great and Small (1972), charmed millions of fans around the world with humorous fictionalized reminiscences of his life as a rural veterinarian in the Yorkshire Dales, particularly in the years just before and after World War II. After training at Glasgow Veterinary College, "Alf" Wight joined the practice of Donald and Brian Sinclair, two brothers who treated mainly farm animals in and around the village of Thirsk (fictionalized as Darrowby). At the age of 50 Wight was goaded by his wife into writing down a collection of personal anecdotes with which he had long entertained his family and friends. If Only They Could Talk (1970), published under the pen name James Herriot, had some success, as did the follow-up, It Shouldn't Happen to a Vet (1972). In 1972 a U.S. publisher issued the two volumes as All Creatures Great and Small. This "omnibus" edition was an instant best-seller and brought fame and fortune to the quiet country vet, who maintained his practice until he retired in the late 1980s. The series continued with All Things Bright and Beautiful (1974), All Things Wise and Wonderful (1977), and The Lord God Made Them All (1981). Other books include James Herriot's Yorkshire (1979), Every Living Thing (1992), and several children's stories. Herriot's tales were adapted for two films and a long-running series broadcast on the BBC and on American television. He was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in 1979. Donald Sinclair, who was immortalized in Herriot's books as Siegfried Farnon, died on June 28.

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