Richmal Crompton

Richmal Crompton Lamburn (November 15 1890–January 11 1969) was a British writer, most famous for her Just William short stories.

Work

Crompton's best known books are the William stories, about a mischievous 11-year old schoolboy and his band of friends, known as the Outlaws. The first short story featuring William was Rice Mould published in Home Magazine in 1919. In 1922 came the first collection, titled Just William. She wrote 38 other William books throughout her life. The last, William the Lawless was published posthumously in 1970. The William books sold over nine million copies, and were also adapted for films, stage-plays, BBC radio and television series.

Related Topics:
1919 - 1922 - Posthumous - BBC

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Crompton also wrote adult fiction - both novels as well as short stories, starting with The Innermost Room (1923). Even William was originally created for grown-up audiences. She once hinted that the success of William came in the way of recognition for her other writing - the novels. Her first published tale, concerning a little boy named Thomas, a forerunner of William, who reacts against authority, was published in The Girls? Own Paper in 1918. Crompton tried several times to reformulate William for other audiences. Jimmy (1949) was aimed at younger children, and Enter - Patricia (1927) at girls. Crompton wrote two more Jimmy books, but no more Patricia, as neither was successful as William.

Related Topics:
1923 - 1918 - Jimmy - 1949 - Enter - Patricia - 1927

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Crompton's fiction is largely centred around family and social life, dwelling on the constraints that they place on individuals while also nurturing them. This is best seen in her depiction of children as puzzled and helpless (not always, though) victims of grown-up concern with societal mores.

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