S. H. Burton facts for kids

Samuel Holroyd "Tim" Burton (born November 30, 1919 – died December 6, 2005) was a British teacher and writer. He wrote many books about the English language and the west of England. He also wrote stories, collected other people's writings, and wrote a book about William Shakespeare.

He was a strong supporter of fairness and peace. He helped start a group called the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament in his town. He also led the Exmoor Society, working to protect the beautiful open spaces of Exmoor.

Early Life and Education

Samuel Burton, who everyone called Tim, was born on November 30, 1919. His hometown was Caverswall in Staffordshire, England. His father had many different jobs. His mother was a teacher in a village school.

Tim was very smart and won a scholarship. This helped him go to Longton High School. Later, he studied at Queen's College at the University of Cambridge. In 1939, he joined the British Army. However, he had to leave in 1941 because of an injury. While recovering in a military hospital, he met his future wife, Phyl.

A Career in Teaching and Writing

Blundell's School, Tiverton, where Burton taught English.

Burton started his teaching career at King Edward VI school in Stafford. From 1945 to 1964, he was the head of English at Blundell's School in Devon. After that, he taught at St Luke's College in Exeter. He also lectured for the British Council and the Workers' Educational Association.

When he wasn't teaching, Tim Burton was busy writing. He wrote many English language textbooks. He also put together collections of stories and wrote biographies. He even edited classic books and wrote about Devon and Cornwall.

He liked to use science fiction stories in his teaching. He found that many students already enjoyed this type of writing. His first book, The Criticism of Poetry, came out in 1950. It was so popular that it stayed in print for almost 40 years!

Burton wrote nearly 50 books. He worked evenings, weekends, and holidays. He preferred writing everything by longhand because he didn't like typewriters. He once said he had to write three books a year to make enough money to live.

Writing About Shakespeare

Shakespeare's Life and Stage, a book by S. H. Burton.

Tim Burton was a big fan of William Shakespeare. He edited a version of Shakespeare's play Henry V in 1975. He also wrote a fun book called Shakespeare Detective and Other Short Stories. These were mystery stories set in modern Stratford-upon-Avon. They used the town's connections to Shakespeare.

His major work on Shakespeare was Shakespeare's Life and Stage (1989). This book was the result of many years of study. It talked a lot about Shakespeare's education. However, the book did not sell as well as he had hoped.

Books on the West of England

The beautiful landscape of Exmoor.

Burton wrote a lot about the areas of Devon and Cornwall. This included three books specifically about Exmoor. His 1952 book, also called Exmoor, became a very important book about the area.

He wrote The North Devon Coast in 1953. This book was a guide to its scenery, history, and old buildings. He followed it with a similar book about the south Devon coast in 1954. In his 1972 book Devon Villages, he wrote about challenges that tourists might not see. These included young people leaving to find work.

Other Activities

Tim Burton was a socialist and supported the Labour Party. He was also very active in the anti-nuclear movement. In the 1960s, he started a local group for the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament in Tiverton.

He became the chairman of the Exmoor Society. He spoke out in The Times newspaper. He argued that the moor should be protected from being plowed and fenced off. He wanted to keep its open spaces safe.

Death

Tim Burton passed away in Stafford on December 6, 2005.

Images for kids

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  Blundell's School, Tiverton, where Burton taught English.

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  The beautiful landscape of Exmoor.

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  Shakespeare's Life and Stage, a book by S. H. Burton.