Posted by John Wilson on January 23, 2009 at 12:20:35 user hugo.
In Reply to: Re: Cyril Ransome posted by Robert Hill on January 19, 2009 at 17:21:46:
The Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (DNB) online has Arthur but not Cyril Ransome (plus the agricultural / manufacturing Ransomes). It says that he used the term “a brat book” about his ambition to leave political journalism in the mid-1920s and write childrens' books. His wealth at death is given as 71,264 pounds.
The DNB says that Cyril’s wife Edith died in 1945, although I thought from looking at Brogan’s “Life” that it was 1944. Brogan just says that Edith died on 7 December without giving the year and next gives a diary entry for 18 January 1945. A search of The Times and Manchester Guardian online for 1944-45 did not find a death notice for her, which would have settled the question!
PS: What is the page number of the Autobiography where Arthur says his father died aged 46? He makes a number of references to his father’s death, as he died before Arthur had succeeded in his career (or even started it, at 13?). At least his mother saw him succeed.