Trivia

Professional ethics and rules of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons ban advertising, and hence Alf Wight could not publish his books under his real name because he was still a practising vet at the time. Required to use a pseudonym, he chose the name of the Birmingham City football club goalkeeper after watching a cup tie on TV between them and Manchester United in February 1969. His son's biography contains a photograph of Alf and the real James Herriot kicking a football about on the lawn of "Skeldale House".

His final honour was to have the new library at Glasgow Veterinary School named The James Herriot Library in recognition of his services to the profession. Sadly he died the day before he was due to attend the official opening, so his son Jim attended in his place.

He adjusted the chronology of his books slightly compared with his real-life experiences. In the books, James Herriot arrived at Darrowby in the mid 1930s and one book describes the events leading up to the outbreak of World War II. In real life, Alf arrived in Thirsk in 1940, by which time the war had been in progress for several months.

In 1939 he graduated from Glasgow Veterinary College.

Began writing in 1966 but his first book, If Only They Could Talk, was not published until 1970. This book and the next in the series, It Shouldn't Happen to a Vet, were released in the USA in 1972 as All Creatures Great and Small.

He was awarded the Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 1979 Queen's Honours List for his services to veterinary sciences.

Supported Sunderland Association Football Club

Was a member of the RAF (Royal Air Force) from 1941 to 1943.

Close friend of Robert Hardy.

In 1982 was awarded Fellow of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons. A 'Fellow' is the senior category of membership of the RCVS for members who have demonstrated significant original contribution to their subject.

August 1921 - June 1928, attended Yoker Primary School.

September 1928 - June 1933, attended Hillhead High School.

In 1983 received a honorary D.V.Sc. (Doctorate of Veterinary Science) from Liverpool University.

In 1979 he received a honorary Litt.D. (Doctorate of Letters) from Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh.