| Gavin
Maxwell |
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| Nationality - Scottish |
Profession - Author |
| Date of birth - 1914
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Date of death - 1969 |
| Place of birth
- Elring Estate : Monreith : Dumfries & Galloway |
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Gavin Maxwell was born at a country estate, Elring, near Monreith in Dumfries and Galloway in 1914. He had two brothers (Ayner and Eustace) and sisters (Christian). Gavin was the youngest member of the family
He spent his childhood on an isolated country estate. He has written a lovely discription of his charmed childhood and rather unhappy school experiences.
It was in Scotland during his younger years that he developed an interest in wildlife.
Gavin's childhood experiences are wondefully described in The House of Elrig.
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Gavin was well educated by a string of governesses and his mother at home. When he finally followed his brothers to boarding school at age 10, a little late by British standards, it was a disaster. His childhood reminiscenes are one of a long list of British writers looking back critically at their schools. For Gavin it was the other children that he had trouble with. His family was quite isolated and he knew almost no other children.
Thrown together with so many children at one time was a trial by ordeal. The school had a system of "substances and shadows" to help the new boys. He got a nice substance, but he still had a difficult time. He does not tell us much about the school uniform, but some information is available. He had such trouble at prep school that he attended three different ones in 3 years. He then went on to Stowe and then Oxford.
Maxwell led a fascinating life. He at various times was an adventurer, naturalist and conservationist, writer, secret agent, shark fisherman, racing driver, painter and social renegade.
He bought the island of Soay in 1945 after the War and wanted to start a shark fishery. He failed, but wrote a dascinating book entitled Harpoon Adventure.
Gavin is best known of course for his captivating book focussing on his experiences in the western Scottish Highlands where he lived with two pet otters, Ring of Bright Water (1960). His unconventional lifestyle and love is something we admire today, but Britain in his day was uncomfortable with his non comformity. His books are wonderfully varied including works about the marsh dwellers of southern Iraq and Sardinian peasants.
Gavin died in Inverness in 1969 at the relatively young age of 55. |
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Gavin Maxwell
bibliography - 2
listed |
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The
Gavin Maxwell
books listed below are either first editions,
special editions or noted editions. |
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| Gavin
Maxwell books Wee
have for sale |
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All
the Gavin Maxwell
books listed below are currently for sale
on our website - we may have some others in
stock so please ask if you don't see the title
you're looking for. |
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