3rd October 1916

Vet ‘James Herriot’ is born

Vet James Herriot was made famous by a series of novels, a handful of films, and two UK television series called All Creatures Great and Small, which were broadcast on the BBC and Channel 5. The books were based on the experiences of a real vet who, in the books as well as real life, had grown up and trained in Scotland.

Where reality and fiction diverge, though, is in the character’s name. The books were written by – and featured – a certain ‘James Herriot’, but this was the pen name of James Alfred Wight, better known as Alf. He had been unable to publish under his own name, as this might have been considered a form of advertising, which was banned by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons.

 

 

Other events that occured in October

  • 01

    John Muir Trust is founded
    Scottish conservationist John Muir was born in Dunbar known in America as the Father of the National Parks.

  • 02

    The City of Glasgow Bank collapses
    When it collapsed in 1878, the City of Glasgow Bank had been one of the biggest banking operations in Britain.

  • 03

    SS Rowan is rammed and sunk
    Steamship Rowan was rammed en route from Scotland to Ireland and sank in less than three minutes, killing up to 30 passengers.

  • 04

    Earthquakes hit Comrie
    A fierce earthquake hit Comrie in 1839. It was felt across much of Scotland and destroyed a dam in Stirling.

FREE Scotland history newsletter

Don't miss our weekly update on Scotland's fascinating history. We promise never to sell your data to anyone else, and there's a super-easy unsubscribe link on the bottom of each email so you can leave whenever you want.