James Herriot, the pen name of James Alfred Wight, has become synonymous with heartwarming tales of veterinary life in the Yorkshire Dales during the 1930s and 40s. But behind the beloved books lies the story of a humble, dedicated vet whose real-life experiences inspired millions.
His stories, filled with warmth, humour, and an enduring love for animals, have resonated with readers for decades and despite all the success he always maintained he was a vet first and an author second.
Was James Herriot a real person?
Sort of! James Herriot, the pen name of James Alfred Wight, partly because the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons banned vets from advertising - and he therefore risked being struck off - if he published them under his own name.
One day he was watching a football match on television when he noted that the goalkeeper was called Jim Herriot - a good name he thought and more importantly there wasn't a James Herriot on the RCVS register - James Herriot the author was born.
His books are semi-autographical as all the characters and incidents have been inspired by real events and people - although all may not have happened to him.
What was he like?
"Alf Wight was a modest man, eschewed the limelight but when called upon to take part in publicity he displayed a natural charm and honesty about him", says John Gallery from World of James Herriot.
"He was man of principle, for example, when tax rates were at an all time high in the 1970’s he was encouraged by some to move offshore to avoid tax. But he refused to do this and paid the tax due stating ‘why would I want to leave the very place that I love and where I live and work and that I love'”.
Are Siegfried and Tristan real people?
Very much so. The TV camaraderie shown between them was very much real and Alf spent many hours enjoying the brothers' company. Siegfried's real name was Donald Sinclair, while Tristan's was Brian Sinclair.
What inspired Wight to become a vet?
It was a magazine article that would give the 13 year-old Alf the idea of becoming a veterinary surgeon. Already a dog lover he was thrilled by the idea he could earn a living caring for animals. If he hadn't of bought that magazine that day his whole life could have been very different...
Did he really marry Helen?
The real Helen was a woman called Joan Danbury, who, instead of being a farmer's daughter, was a secretary of a corn merchant in Thirsk who he met at a dance. Like Helen in the books Joan had a number of suiters, including a wealthy farmer, however she chose Alf. They married in 1941 and, like in the television programme, their first married home together was in the attic rooms of Skeldale House. They remained together for the rest of their lives.
Just like the books state he had a daughter called James (Jimmy) and a daughter called Rosie. Jim became a veterinary surgeon and Rosie became a doctor.
Where was the real Skeldale House?
The real Skeldale Veterinary Surgery Practice was originally in Thirsk and the business is still thriving today. Donald Sinclair bought 23 Kirkgate, Thirsk, in 1939 and turned it into a veterinary practice. Alf Wight joined him a year later in 1940.
Today 23 Kirkgate is the home of the World of James Herriot visitor attraction, while the veterinary business Skeldale Veterinary Practice has moved to a modern building on Thirsk Business Park.
How real are the books?
The stories in the books are all about real people and situations. The characters are all real too but they were all given fictional names. Some characters were blended too in order to avoid offending anyone.
Why were the books set in the Yorkshire Dales
Wight set them in the Yorkshire Dales, rather than the area around Thirsk, so that the people he based his beloved characters on wouldn't realise they were the inspiration. He also based the books during the period just before World War Two and gave James Herriot a qualification date of 1937, rather than 1939. According to the book James Herriot: A memoir of my father, by his son Jim Wight, it was also to put people off the scent.
"I want to continue to be known as the vet around here, not the author," Alf said
- Grassington, Yorkshire Dales: What to see and where to go in the heart of James Herriot Country
- Great novels and autobiographies set in the British countryside
When was Alf born?
Alf was born on 3rd October 1916 in Sunderland.
What did he do during the war?
As depicted in the books. He joined the RAF and did his training but was discharged due to ill health.
What did he think of the original television series?
He liked the TV series and was heavily involved in the adaptation of his stories for the small screen, says John
