Vicars Bell facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Vicars Bell
|
|
|---|---|
Vicars Walker Bell by Elliott & Fry, 1948
|
|
| Born |
Vicars Walker Bell
24 January 1904 Redhill, Surrey, England
|
| Died | 21 April 1988 (aged 84) Tavistock, Devon, England
|
| Nationality | British |
| Alma mater | University College London |
| Occupation |
|
| Spouse(s) |
Dorothy E. Carley
(m. 1926) |
| Writing career | |
| Genre | |
| Notable works |
|
Vicars Walker Bell (born January 24, 1904 – died April 21, 1988) was a British schoolteacher and a successful author. He taught at Little Gaddesden Church of England School in Hertfordshire, England, from 1929 to 1963. He eventually became the headmaster of the school. Bell wrote many books, including stories for children, mystery novels, and books about history and his own life. The Times newspaper called him a "village chronicler" because he wrote so much about village life.
Contents
Early Life and Family Background
Vicars Bell was born on January 24, 1904, in Redhill, Surrey, England. He went to University College London. He first planned to become a clergyman (a religious leader). However, due to his poor health, he decided to become a teacher instead.
In 1926, he married Dorothy E. Carley in Reigate.
Career as a Teacher and Author
Vicars Bell worked as a schoolteacher at Little Gaddesden Church of England School. He started there in 1929 and stayed until 1963. During his time there, he became the headmaster.
Besides teaching, he was also a well-known author. In 1950, he wrote a book about his own life called The Dodo: The Story of a Village Schoolmaster. Most of his books were published by Faber and Faber. This book talked about his school days and his work as a teacher. It also shared his ideas about teaching and his love for the countryside.
Writing for Young Readers
Vicars Bell wrote several books specifically for children. These stories were often imaginative and engaging for young readers.
Mystery Novels for Adults
He also wrote a series of detective stories. These books were set in a quiet village. The main character was a detective named Dr. Douglas Baynes. Dr. Baynes was an entomologist (someone who studies insects) with a disability. He helped the local police solve murder cases in the village.
One of his mystery books, Death and the Night Watches (1955), was praised for being clever. Another, Death Walks by the River (1959), was described as a pleasant and calm mystery. It included fun details about cricket matches and country pubs.
Historical Writings
Bell also wrote historical books. His book To Meet Mr. Ellis (1956) tells the story of village life in Little Gaddesden during the 1700s. The Times newspaper called him a "village chronicler" for this work. This means he was like a historian who recorded the daily life and changes in his village.
In 1964, Vicars Bell was given an award called the MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire). This award recognized his important contributions.
Later Life and Legacy
Vicars Bell passed away on April 21, 1988. He died with his wife in an accident in Tavistock, Devon.
In 2012, two of his important books were republished. These were Little Gaddesden and The Dodo. They were put together in one book by the Rural Heritage Society of Little Gaddesden. This shows that his work is still valued and remembered.
Selected Publications
Here are some of the books written by Vicars Bell:
Non-fiction Books
- Little Gaddesden: The Story of an English Parish. Faber and Faber, London, 1949.
- The Dodo: The Story of a Village Schoolmaster. Faber and Faber, London, 1950.
- This Way Home: The Story of a Voyage in Search of the Earth. Faber and Faber, London, 1951.
- On Learning the English Tongue. Faber and Faber, London, 1953.
- To Meet Mr. Ellis: Little Gaddesden in the Eighteenth Century. Faber and Faber, London, 1956.
- Steep Ways and Narrow. A Layman's Autobiography. Faber and Faber, London, 1963.
Detective Stories
- Death Under the Stars. Faber and Faber, London, 1949.
- Death Has Two Doors. Faber and Faber, London, 1950.
- Two by Day and One by Night. Faber and Faber, London, 1950.
- Death Darkens Council. Faber and Faber, London, 1952.
- Death and the Night Watches. Faber and Faber, London, 1955.
- Death Walks by the River. Faber and Faber, London, 1959.
Children's Books
- That Night: A Play for the Nativity. Faber and Faber, London, 1959.
- Orlando and Rosalind: Three Tales. Faber and Faber, London, 1960. (Illustrated by Dorothea Patterson)
- The Flying Cat. Faber and Faber, London, 1964. (Illustrated by Dorothea Patterson)
- Prayers for Every Day: A Book for Schools. Oxford University Press, London, 1965. (Editor)
- Vicars Bell: Little Gaddesden & The Dodo. Rural Heritage Society of Little Gaddesden, Ringshall, Hudnall and Ashridge, 2012. (Edited by Peter Grainger)
