Robin Jenkins facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Robin Jenkins
|
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born | John Robin Jenkins 11 September 1912 nr. Cambuslang, Scotland |
| Died | 24 February 2005 (aged 92) |
| Occupation | Novelist |
| Nationality | Scottish |
| Alma mater | University of Glasgow |
| Period | 1950-2005 |
| Genre | Scottish literature |
| Notable works | The Cone Gatherers (1955) |
| Notable awards | OBE 1999 Andrew Fletcher of Saltoun prize 2008 lifetime achievement |
John Robin Jenkins (born September 11, 1912 – died February 24, 2005) was a famous Scottish writer. He wrote many books, about thirty novels in total! His most well-known book is called The Cone Gatherers. He also published two collections of short stories.
Contents
Life and Writing Journey
Early Life and Education
John Robin Jenkins was born in Flemington, near Cambuslang, in 1912. When he was only seven years old, his father passed away. His mother then raised him and his three brothers and sisters. They didn't have much money, but Robin was very smart.
He won a special scholarship called a bursary to attend Hamilton Academy. This was a famous school that usually cost money to attend. The idea of education helping someone escape tough times later became a big theme in his book Happy for the Child (1953).
After high school, he won another scholarship. He went on to study literature at the University of Glasgow and graduated in 1936.
Working During Wartime
During the Second World War, Robin Jenkins chose not to fight. He was a conscientious objector, meaning he believed war was wrong. Instead of fighting, he was sent to work in forestry in Argyll, Scotland. This experience of working in the woods later inspired his most famous novel, The Cone Gatherers.
His very first novel, So Gaily Sings the Lark, was published in 1950. This book was also based on his experiences as a conscientious objector. After this book came out, he started using the pen name 'Robin Jenkins'.
Teaching Around the World
In the early part of his writing career, Robin Jenkins was an English and History teacher. In the 1950s, he taught at Riverside Senior Secondary in Glasgow. Later, he moved with his family to Dunoon, where he taught at the well-known Dunoon Grammar School.
He also spent four important years teaching at the Gaya School in Sabah, Borneo. He lived there with his wife, May, and their children. Before that, he had teaching jobs with the British Council in both Kabul and Barcelona.
His Most Famous Books
Robin Jenkins's most famous novel is The Cone Gatherers. This book is about his time working in the forest during the war. It is often studied in Scottish schools today.
While some people say The Cone Gatherers doesn't feel very connected to a specific place, his other books are different. For example, The Thistle and the Grail (1954) is a football story that paints clear pictures of its setting.
His writing often explores important ideas. These include what is right and wrong, the fight between good and evil, war, and fairness in society. Another one of his novels, Just Duffy, also looks at these kinds of themes.
Awards and Legacy
Robin Jenkins received an award called the OBE in 1999. In 2003, he was given the Andrew Fletcher of Saltoun prize from the Saltire Society. This award was for his amazing achievements in writing throughout his life.
A painting of him, created by Jennifer McRae, can be seen at the National Portrait Gallery of Scotland. There is even a special award named after him, called the Robin Jenkins Literary Award.
Robin Jenkins passed away in 2005 when he was 92 years old. One of his novels, The Pearl-fishers, was published after he died in 2007.
