Desmond Skirrow facts for kids
John Desmond Skirrow (born November 13, 1923 – died August 16, 1976) was a talented British writer and advertising expert. He was known for his exciting spy novels, a fun children's book, and even some clever poems. He also helped create the text for famous photography books and designed covers for many other books.
Contents
John Skirrow's Writing Adventures
Skirrow was born in Barry, a town in South Wales. In 1963, he met Alida Haskins, who showed him ideas for a book called Cowboy Kate & Other Stories. Skirrow then wrote the words to go with the pictures made by Alida and her husband, Sam Haskins. This book was published by Bodley Head in London, who later published Skirrow's own thriller novels. He also wrote text for Sam Haskins' next book, November Girl, which came out in 1966.
While working in advertising, Skirrow traveled daily from Brighton to London. He made sure to write 1,000 words every day until he had a full novel. This first book was called It Won't Get You Anywhere. It was the start of three spy novels about a made-up British agent named John Brock. Like Skirrow, Brock works in advertising in London, but he also works part-time as a secret agent for a hidden government department. People said that Brock and Skirrow were both kind and a bit shy. Skirrow, however, said they were not alike, pointing out that his hair was blonde and Brock's was black!
The John Brock Spy Series
Two more exciting spy books followed: I Was Following This Girl and I'm Trying to Give It Up. These books were known for being tough, funny, and clever. One reviewer said they were like classic detective stories, but even louder and funnier!
Books for Younger Readers
Skirrow also wrote a children's book called The Case of The Silver Egg. This book was even made into a TV show called The Queen Street Gang. It was about a group of boys who go on adventures to find a gang of bad guys. There was even talk of a second book, but it was never published.
Clever Poems
Skirrow wrote a famous poem called "Ode on a Grecian Urn Summarized". This poem cleverly makes fun of a well-known poem by John Keats called "Ode on a Grecian Urn". It was first printed in a magazine called the New Statesman in 1960. Later, it was included in a collection of funny poems edited by Kingsley Amis. Vanderbilt University even created a term, "Skirrowing," to describe when someone writes a short, funny version of a famous poem.
Radio Adaptations
His novel It Won't Get You Anywhere was turned into a radio series. It was broadcast on BBC Radio 2's Woman's Hour in November 1970.
John Skirrow's Art and Advertising Career
After World War II, Skirrow taught art in the countryside. In the mid-1950s, he joined an advertising company called WS Crawford. There, he worked with other creative people like Paul Peter Piech.
Book Cover Designs
In the late 1950s and early 1960s, Skirrow designed the covers for many books published by British companies like Heinemann and Secker & Warburg. Some of the famous books he designed covers for include:
- The Black Cloud by Fred Hoyle
- Rally Round the Flag, Boys! by Max Shulman
- Hawaii by James A. Michener
- The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich by William L. Shirer
Advertising Leadership
In 1962, David Bernstein, a creative leader at a big advertising company called McCann Erickson, hired Skirrow and Robert Brownjohn. They became important creative directors in the company's London office. Bernstein called Skirrow "a craftsman," meaning he was very skilled at his work.
Later, Skirrow became the Creative Director at another major London advertising company, Masius Wynne-Williams. He worked with other writers and personalities there, including the novelist Christopher Wood and sports commentator Murray Walker.
Later Life
John Skirrow passed away on August 16, 1976, in Hove. He was cremated in Brighton a few days later.
John Skirrow's Published Works
John Brock Novels
- It Won't Get You Anywhere (1966)
- I Was Following This Girl (1967)
- I'm Trying to Give It Up (1968)
Other Novels
- The Case of the Silver Egg (1966) – this book had illustrations by Robin Jacques
- Poor Quail (1969)
Books with Photographs
- Cowboy Kate & Other Stories (1964) – with amazing photographs by Sam Haskins
- November Girl (1967) – also with photographs by Sam Haskins
Book Jacket Art for Other Authors
- Hoyle, Fred. The Black Cloud. London: Heinemann (1957)
- Shulman, Max. Rally Round the Flag, Boys!. London: Heinemann (1958)
- Shirer, William L. The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich. London: Secker & Warburg (1960)
- Michener, James A. Hawaii. London: Secker & Warburg (1960)
