Leonard Wibberley facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Leonard Wibberley
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Leonard Wibberley, sailor
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| Born | Leonard Patrick O'Connor Wibberley 9 April 1915 Dublin, County Dublin, Ireland |
| Died | 22 November 1983 (aged 68) Santa Monica, California, United States |
| Pen name | Patrick O'Connor |
| Occupation | Writer, author |
| Genre | Fiction, non-fiction, satire |
| Children | Patrick Maynard, Kevin Wibberley, Patricia Sheehey, Christopher Wibberley, Arabella Birkholm, Rory Wibberley (d) and Cormac Wibberley |
Leonard Patrick O'Connor Wibberley (born April 9, 1915 – died November 22, 1983) was a very busy Irish author. He wrote over 100 books! He also used other names, like Patrick O'Connor. Most of his life was spent in the United States.
Wibberley is probably most famous for his five funny books about a made-up country called Grand Fenwick. The most well-known of these is The Mouse That Roared (1955). This book was even made into a movie! He wrote many different kinds of books. These included exciting novels, history books, and stories about real people. He also wrote short stories, plays, and long poems.
Many of his books were part of a series. Besides the "Mouse" series, he wrote 11 mystery novels about a detective priest named Father Bredder. These were published under the name Leonard Holton. This series even became a TV show called Sarge. He also wrote over 50 books for young people. These included a seven-book historical series called 'Treegate' and four books about the life of Thomas Jefferson. As Patrick O'Connor, he wrote the 'Black Tiger' series about car racing for young adults. Leonard Wibberley also wrote science fiction stories. The ocean and sailing were often important parts of his stories. Three of his novels became movies: The Mouse That Roared (1959), The Mouse on the Moon (1963), and The Hands of Cormac Joyce (1972).
Contents
About Leonard Wibberley's Life
Early Years and Education
Leonard Wibberley was born in Dublin, Ireland, in 1915. He was the youngest of six children. His family later moved to Cork. Until he was eight, he learned in the Irish language at Ring College in Waterford. After that, he moved to England for school.
His father, Thomas Wibberley, was a professor who studied farming. He wrote books about how the UK could grow enough food for itself.
Starting a Career in Journalism
When Leonard was 15, his father suddenly passed away. This meant Leonard had to leave school. He started working for newspapers in London. He was a copy boy, then a reporter. He also worked for newspapers from Malaysia and Singapore.
In 1936, he moved to Trinidad. There, he was briefly an editor. Then he worked in an oilfield for several years. In 1943, he moved to New York City. He soon found jobs in journalism again. He worked for the Associated Press and the London Evening News.
Moving to California and Becoming an Author
In 1947, Wibberley moved to California for good. He continued working for newspapers. He was an editor and a reporter for the Los Angeles Times. While working there, he started writing his own books.
His first novel, The King's Beard, was published in 1952. He was 37 years old. Soon after, he left his newspaper job. He became a full-time author in Hermosa Beach, California. He wrote over 100 more books. He published at least one book every year, often more than three!
Personal Life and Hobbies
Leonard Wibberley enjoyed acting in plays. He also read his stories on local radio. He wrote a weekly newspaper column called 'The Wibberley Papers'. He had two marriages and seven children. One of his children, Cormac Wibberley, also became a film writer.
His Passing
Leonard Wibberley passed away from a heart attack in Santa Monica, California. He was 68 years old when he died on November 22, 1983.
His Lasting Impact
Leonard Wibberley gave many of his original writings to the University of Southern California library. This means students and researchers can still study his work. A book of his last short writings was published after he passed away in 1993.
Some of Leonard Wibberley's Books
Leonard Wibberley wrote many different kinds of books for both adults and young readers.
The Mouse Series
These are his most famous books. They are funny stories about a tiny country called Grand Fenwick.
- The Mouse That Roared (1955)
- The Mouse on the Moon (1962)
- The Mouse on Wall Street (1969)
- The Mouse That Saved the West (1981)
- The Mouse That Popped the Question (1982)
Other Novels for Adults
He wrote many other stories, some with adventure and some with historical settings.
- Mrs Searwood's Secret Weapon (1954)
- McGillicuddy McGotham (1956)
- Take Me to Your President (1957)
- The Island of the Angels (1964)
- The Centurion (1966)
- Flint's Island: A sequel to 'Treasure Island' (1972)
Father Joseph Bredder Mystery Series
Under the name Leonard Holton, he wrote a series of mystery books about a priest.
- The Saint Maker (1959)
- A Pact with Satan (1960)
- Secret of the Doubting Saint (1961)
Non-Fiction Books
Wibberley also wrote many books about real places and events.
- The Trouble with the Irish (1956)
- Fiji: Islands of the Dawn (1964)
- Voyage by Bus: Seeing America by Land Yacht (1971)
Books for Young Readers
He wrote many books especially for kids and teens.
As Christopher Webb
- Mark Toyman's Inheritance (1960)
- Quest of the Otter (1963)
As Patrick O'Connor (Black Tiger Series)
These books are about car racing.
- The Black Tiger (1956)
- Mexican Road Race (1957)
- Black Tiger at Le Mans (1958)
Farrar, Straus & Giroux Ariel Youth Books
- The King's Beard (1952)
- Deadmen's Cave (1954)
- Encounter Near Venus (1967)
John Treegate Series
This is a popular historical fiction series.
- John Treegate's Musket (1959)
- Peter Treegate's War (1960)
- Sea Captain from Salem (1961)
Life of Thomas Jefferson Series
These books tell the story of Thomas Jefferson's life.
- Young Man from the Piedmont: The Youth of Thomas Jefferson (1963)
- A Dawn in the Trees: Thomas Jefferson, the Years 1776–1789 (1964)
Images for kids
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Leonard Wibberley, sailor
