Saturday, October 14, 2006

Richard Bowood (Albert Scott Daniell)

Richard Bowood contributed to Swift Annual 7 and 8 (1960-61) as well as the weekly Swift, where he wrote at least two serials, 'Journey Into Danger' (1960) and (anonymously) 'Aztec Gold' (1960).

Richard Bowood was the pseudonym of Albert Scott Daniell. Daniell was born in London on 1 July 1906 and attended Bedford Modern School. His first novel, Young English by A. Scott Daniell, was published in 1931, a lively account of an ordinary boy's four years at school. Daniell was, however, better know as David Scott Daniell under which name he became a very prolific writer for radio. He adapted 'The Boy Pretender' by Lambert Simnel as King Takes Pawn for radio (1937) and produced a play about Simnel, The Boy They Made King (1937) which he subsequently turned into a book. Other radio plays include Night Freight (1938), Ursula Gets Her Dog (1938), a 4-part 'Children's Hour' series about the escape of King Charles (1939), The Queen and Mr. Shakespeare (1940), The Good Mrs. Ankerdyne (1954)... in all, Daniell wrote a total of over 600 scripts for radio and television for both children and adults as well as contributing to newspapers and magazines.

In 1940, Daniell published his first novel as David Scott Daniell, Mornings at Seven and quickly followed it with a second, The Time of the Singing. His career as a novelist, however, was interrupted by World War II; Daniell joined the Royal Engineers and served in Sicily and Italy (mentioned in dispatches), rising to the rank of Captain.

Returning to civilian life, Daniell's next novel, Nicholas Wilde appeared in 1948. A year later he produced his first non-fiction title, Children's Theatre Plays, illustrated by Elizabeth Thirlby (actually Elizabeth Daniell, as Elizabeth Mary Thirlby had married Daniell on 3 June 1939; the two had a son, Richard John Scott Daniell).

Daniell thereon produced a mixture of military history, novels and non-fiction, including many volumes for Ladybird Books. As well as his continuing output for radio and television, Daniell also penned an adaptation of his novel By Jiminy for the Children's Film Foundation.

Daniell lived at The Forge, Bowood, near Bridport, Dorset, and died at Dorset County Hospital on 29 August 1965.

A number of his books remain in print, one, Cap of Honour, updated by General Sir Anthony Farrar-Hockley and others in 1975 and reprinted as recently as 2005.

Novels as David Scott Daniell (except where noted)
Young English. The story of a schoolboy (as A. Scott Daniell). London, Jonathan Cape, 1931.
Mornings at Seven. London, Jonathan Cape, 1940.
The Time of the Singing. London, Jonathan Cape, 1941.
Nicholas Wilde. London, Jonathan Cape, 1948.
Mission for Oliver, illus. William Stobbs. London, Jonathan Cape, 1953.
Polly and Oliver, illus. William Stobbs. London, Jonathan Cape, 1954.
The Dragon and the Rose, illus. Sheila Stratton. London, Jonathan Cape, 1955.
Hunt Royal, illus. William Stobbs. London, Jonathan Cape, 1958.
Hideaway Johnny, illus. Val Biro. Leicester, Brockhampton Press, 1959.
Fifty Pounds for a Dead Parson. London, Jonathan Cape, 1960.
The Golden Pomegranate, illus. George Adamson. London, University of London Press, 1960.
Polly and Oliver at Sea, illus. William Stobbs. London, Jonathan Cape, 1960; as The Rajah's Treasure, New York, Duell, Sloan & Pearce, 1960.
By Jiminy, illus. D. G. Valentine. Leicester, Brockhampton Press, 1962.
Sandro's Battle, illus. Colin Spencer. London, Jonathan Cape, 1962.
Polly and Oliver Besiged, illus. William Stobbs. London, Jonathan Cape, 1963.
Saved by Jiminy, illus. D. G. Valentine. Leicester, Brockhampton Press, 1963.
By Jiminy Ahoy, illus. D. G. Valentine. Leicester, Brockhampton Press, 1963.
By Jiminy in the Jungle, illus. D. G. Valentine. Leicester, Brockhampton Press, 1964.
Polly and Oliver Pursued, illus. William Stobbs. London, Jonathan Cape, 1964.
By Jiminy in the Highlands, illus. D. G. Valentine. Leicester, Brockhampton Press, 1966.

Novels as Richard Bowood
Naples Ahead, illus. David Knight. London, Macmillan & Co., 1964; New York, St. Martin's Press, 1964.
Horsey & Co. and the Bank Robbers, illus. A. Oxenham. London, Golden Pleasure Books, 1965.
Red Gaskell's Gold, illus. Peter Kesteven. London, Macmillan & Co., 1964; New York, St. Martin's Press, 1966.

Non-fiction as David Scott Daniell
Children's Theatre Plays. London, George G. Harrap & Co., 1948.
Cap of Honour: The story of the Gloucestershire Regiment (the 28th/61st Foot) 1694-1950, with material provided by R. M. Grazebrook; with a foreword by the Duke of Gloucester. London, George G. Harrap & Co., 1951.
More Children's Theatre Plays, with a foreword by Bertha Waddell and costume illus. by Elizabeth Thirlby. London, George G. Harrap & Co., 1951.
Costume Plays for Schools, with notes and designs for costumes by Elizabeth Thirlby. London, George G. Harrap & Co., 1955.
Regimental History: The Royal Hampshire Regiment, Vol. III: 1918-54. Aldershot, Gale & Polden, 1955.
History of the East Surrey Regiment, Vol. IV: 1920-1952. London, Ernest Benn, 1957.
Flight One: Australia, illus. Jack Matthew. Loughborough, Wills & Hepworth (Ladybird Books), 1958.
4th Hussar: The story of the 4th Queen's Own Hussars, 1685-1958. Aldershot, Gale & Polden, 1959.
The Boy They Made King. A true story for boys and girls, illus. William Stobbs. London, Jonathan Cape, 1959.
Flight Two: Canada, illus. Jack Matthew. Loughborough, Wills & Hepworth (Ladybird Books), 1959.
Flight Three: United States of America, illus. Jack Matthew. Loughborough, Wills & Hepworth (Ladybird Books), 1959.
Flight Four: India, illus. Jack Matthew. Loughborough, Wills & Hepworth (Ladybird Books), 1960.
Battles and Battlefields
, illus. William Stobbs, London, B. T. Batsford, 1961.
Discovering the Bible, with G. W. H. Lampe; illus. Graham Oakley. London, University of London Press, 1961; illus. Steele Savage, Nashville, TN, Abingdon, 1966.
Faith in Our Fathers: The story of Christianity in Britian, with G. W. H. Lampe. London, University of London Press, 1961.
Flight Five: Africa, illus. Jack Matthew. Loughborough, Wills & Hepworth (Ladybird Books), 1961.
Explorers and Exploration, illus. William Stobbs. London, B. T. Batsford, 1962.
Flight Six: The Holy Land, illus. Jack Matthew. Loughborough, Wills & Hepworth (Ladybird Books), 1962.
World War 1: An illustrated history. London, E. Benn, 1965.
Discovering the Army, illus. Crispin Fisher. London, University of London Press, 1965.
Soldiers. London, 1965.
Sea Fights. London, B. T. Batsford, 1966.
World War 2: An illustrated history. London, E. Benn, 1966.
Your Body, illus. Ronald Lampitt. Loughborough, Wills & Hepworth (Ladybird Books), 1967.

Non-fiction as Richard Bowood
The Story of Flight, illus. Robert Ayton. Loughborough, Wills & Hepworth (Ladybird Books), 1960.
Great Inventions, illus. Robert Ayton. Loughborough, Wills & Hepworth (Ladybird Books), 1961.
The Story of Railways, illus. Robert Ayton. Loughborough, Wills & Hepworth (Ladybird Books), 1961.
The Story of Ships, illus. Robert Ayton. Loughborough, Wills & Hepworth (Ladybird Books), 1961.
The Ladybird Book of the Weather, with F. E. Newing; illus. Robert Ayton. Loughborough, Wills & Hepworth (Ladybird Books), 1962.
Light, Mirrors and Lenses, with F. E. Newing; illus. J. H. Wingfield. Loughborough, Wills & Hepworth (Ladybird Books), 1962.
Magnets, Bulbs and Batteries, with F. E. Newing; illus. J. H. Wingfield. Loughborough, Wills & Hepworth (Ladybird Books), 1962.
Air Wind and Flight, with F. E. Newing; illus. J. H. Wingfield. Loughborough, Wills & Hepworth (Ladybird Books), 1963.
Levers, Pulleys and Engines, with F. E. Newing; illus. J. H. Wingfield. Loughborough, Wills & Hepworth (Ladybird Books), 1963.
The Story of Houses and Homes, illus. Robert Ayton. Loughborough, Wills & Hepworth (Ladybird Books), 1963.
The Story of Churches and Cathedrals, illus. Robert Ayton. Loughborough, Wills & Hepworth (Ladybird Books), 1964.
The Story of Clothes and Costume, illus. Robert Ayton. Loughborough, Wills & Hepworth (Ladybird Books), 1964.
Soldiers, Soldiers. London, Paul Hamlyn, 1965.
Animals and How They Live, with F. E. Newing; illus. Ronald Lampitt. Loughborough, Wills & Hepworth (Ladybird Books), 1965.
Plants and How They Grow, with F. E. Newing; illus. Ronald Lampitt. Loughborough, Wills & Hepworth (Ladybird Books), 1965.
Birds and How They Live, with F. E. Newing; illus. Ronald Lampitt. Loughborough, Wills & Hepworth (Ladybird Books), 1966.
Our Land in the Making, illus. Ronald Lampitt.
1: Earliest Times to the Norman Conquest. Loughborough, Wills & Hepworth (Ladybird Books), 1966.
2: Norman Conquest to present day. Loughborough, Wills & Hepworth (Ladybird Books), 1966.
Underwater Exploration, illus. B. Knight. Loughborough, Wills & Hepworth (Ladybird Books), 1967.

Non-fiction as John Lewesdon
The Ladybird Book of London, illus. John Berry. Loughborough, Wills & Hepworth (Ladybird Books), 1961.

9 comments:

  1. Hello.
    My name is Kezzia Kemp, nee Daniell. David Scott Daniell was my father's father, anyone who has any more information about his life please feel free to get in touch.
    Elizabeth Mary Thirlby, his wife is still with us and celebrated her 90th birthday this year.
    Kind regards,
    Kezzia

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. As a young boy I lived next door to Elizabeth's mother in Romsey, Hampshire. I have a signed copy of Fight One Australia given to by David.

      Delete
  2. Good to hear from you Kezzia. If you think you can add anything, please feel free... and if I find out any further information, I'll make sure it's noted here.

    Thanks for getting in touch.

    Regards,

    Steve.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hello again.
    I don't really have much to add at this time but I'm ever so interested in finding out more about David, as we refer to him. My dear Grandmother's perspective is somewhat tainted after all these years!
    Where did you find your information about him?
    Kindest regards,
    Kezzia

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hi Kezzia,

    The information was compiled from a variety of sources: the bibliographical stuff (the book listing) was from various library holdings (British Library, National Library of Scotland, etc.) and the biographical sketch was, I think, mostly from Contemporary Authors along with a bit of digging around genealogical websites; I often use things like census records for older authors although the latest available census is 1901... not very useful for most authors if they were at their most active in the 1950s and 1960s. The Americans already have their 1930 census available to them while we still have another five years to go before they put up 1911. If I'm still around I'll have to go back through all these old notes and see what I can add!

    ReplyDelete
  5. My Father-in-Law passed away this past Feb. his name was Albert Daniell, he was 74 yrs.old. We know little of the family history. I was woulding is it was possible these 2 were related? Is there any info you can give me, please.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hi M.,

    Unfortunately I have no way of knowing if your father-in-law is related to the writer Albert Scott Daniell. It's an uncommon surname so there is a good chance that they are related, but how I wouldn't like to guess.

    ReplyDelete
  7. a copy of Young English, by A Scott daniell, cape 1931 has recently appeared on ABEBooks.com. is it autobiographical?

    ReplyDelete
  8. my name is Ravi Singh. i am fond of daniell. i like his plays.

    ReplyDelete

BEAR ALLEY BOOKS

BEAR ALLEY BOOKS
Click on the above pic to visit our sister site Bear Alley Books