"Let's Have A Look Around The Place"
James Alfred Wight ( James Herriot ) was born on 3rd October 1916 in the Roker
area of Sunderland. His parents James and Hannah were married on 17 July 1915 in Sunderland. The couple moved to Glasgow soon
after the wedding but Hannah Wight returned to Sunderland to have her baby. When he was about three weeks old he was taken
to Glasgow where he lived for some twenty years. This and his Glaswegian accent gave many the impression he was a Scot. Alf
Wight qualified as a veterinary surgeon in Glasgow in December 1939. Contrary to popular belief his position at Thirsk with
Donald Sinclair (Siegfried Farnon) was not his first employment after qualifying. His first position was in Sunderland
in January 1940 and it was not until July 1940 that he moved to Thirsk. Alf Wight was a country vet and as James Herriot a
best selling author. Two films and the popular television series 'All Creatures Great And Small' were based on his books.
The stories were based on his experiences as a country vet. His first book -'If only they could talk'- was published in 1970.
In all he wrote eight books about his life as a vet. In 1979 his illustrated "James Herriot's Yorkshire" was published with
photographs by Derry Brabbs. The book with photographs of the Yorkshire Dales, Moors and Coast and commentary by Alf went
on to be another best seller Alf Wight was respected locally and did not let his fame as an author change his lifestyle. Despite
extremely high taxation in the mid and late 70s he refused to leave Britain preferring to remain in Thirsk. He died on 23rd
February 1995 at his home in Thirlby near Thirsk.
Among his many interests were literature, sport and music. He was an avid supporter
of Sunderland football club and he was involved in cricket, athletics and tennis. He married Joan Danbury on 5th November
1941 in St. Mary Magdalene Church Thirsk. They had two children, Jimmy and Rosie. Jimmy followed in his father's footsteps
and became a veterinary surgeon whilst Rosie became a doctor.
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Christopher Timothy as James Herriot |
welcome to this really
wonderful website that
is, indeed, all things
James Herriot
a great page on
James Herriot, from
Landscapes of Imagination
Writer Hero.
a tribute by Sarah
Cowan from
Laguna Beach, California. who was
inspired to become a vet by
the writings and work of
James Herriot
an absolutely delightful video
tribute, featuring James Herriot
himself and Christopher Timothy,
who also was the co-producer
and co-screenwriter.
the official website.
James Herriot country
plus much, much more.
everything you need to know
about this delightful and beautiful
part of England
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