Angus MacVicar facts for kids

Angus MacVicar (born October 28, 1908, died October 31, 2001) was a Scottish author. He wrote many different kinds of books. He was especially famous for his exciting crime thrillers, fun science fiction stories for young people, and books about his own life.

His writing career began after he served in World War II. Most of his books came out in the 20 years after the war ended.

Early Life and Family

Angus MacVicar was born in a small town called Southend in Argyll, Scotland. His father, also named Angus, was a minister in the Church of Scotland. Angus lived in Southend for most of his life.

He went to the University of Glasgow. After university, he worked for a local newspaper called the Campbeltown Courier. His family was known for living a long time! His father lived to be 92, and his younger brother, Kenneth, lived to be 96. Kenneth even became a Chaplain to the Queen in Scotland.

A Writer's Journey

Angus MacVicar wrote many popular books. He was very good at telling stories that kept readers hooked.

Thrilling Mysteries

Angus MacVicar wrote many exciting crime thrillers. These books were full of suspense and mystery. Some of his well-known thrillers include Greybreek (1947) and The Killings on Kersivay (1962). He even wrote some mysteries that involved the sport of golf!

Adventures in Space: The Lost Planet Series

Angus MacVicar was very popular for his children's stories. These books often combined simple characters with amazing adventures. They also shared gentle lessons about being kind and peaceful.

His most famous series was The Lost Planet series. These science fiction books were a huge hit! They were popular as books, radio shows, and even TV shows. Angus MacVicar was also a talented writer for TV and plays.

The Lost Planet stories had a strong message about peace. They taught readers that it's better to solve problems without fighting.

There are six books in The Lost Planet series:

• The Lost Planet (1953)
• Return to the Lost Planet (1954)
• Secret of the Lost Planet (1955)
• Red Fire on the Lost Planet (1959)
• Peril on the Lost Planet (1960)
• Space Agent from the Lost Planet (1961)

This series was the first science fiction series ever translated into Hebrew. It had a big impact on how science fiction grew in Israel.

Other Exciting Series

Angus MacVicar also wrote another popular series for young readers called the Atom Chasers series. These books were also full of adventure and excitement.

Sharing His Life Story

Later in his life, Angus MacVicar started writing books about his own experiences. These books were called memoirs. One famous memoir is Salt in My Porridge (1971). In these books, he shared stories about growing up as a minister's child in Scotland. These memoirs showed his unique Scottish writing style very clearly.

Beyond Books

Besides writing, Angus MacVicar also hosted a TV show for the BBC. He presented the program called Songs of Praise.