3. Introduction to the author

James Herriot was born in Sunderland, England, on \(3\) October, \(1916\). James Herriot was his pen name, and his original name was James Alfred Wight. He was a British veterinary surgeon and author.

 

Born in Sunderland, Herriot graduated from Glasgow Veterinary College in 1939, returning to England to become a veterinary surgeon in Yorkshire, where he practised for almost 50 years. James utilised his vast experience of working as a veterinary doctor in his writing. He is best known for writing a series of eight books set in the 1930s–1950s Yorkshire Dales about veterinary practice, animals, and their owners, which began with 'If Only They Could Talk', first published in \(1970\). Over the decades, the series of books has sold some \(60\) million copies.

 

His books inspired a successful franchise. In addition to the books, Herriot's books have been adapted for television and cinema, including the \(1975\) film 'All Creatures Great and Small', a BBC television series of the same name that aired for \(90\) episodes, and a UK Channel 5 series of the same name that premiered in \(2020\).

 

He died on February \(23\), \(1955\), at the age of \(78\).