Hunter Davies
Encyclopedia
Edward Hunter Davies is a prolific British
author
, journalist
and broadcaster
, perhaps best known for writing the only authorised biography of The Beatles
.
to Scottish parents. For 4 years his family lived in Dumfries
until Davies was aged 11. Davies has frequently quoted his boyhood hero as being football centre-forward, Billy Houliston
, of Davies' then local team, Queen of the South
His family moved to Carlisle when Davies was 11 and he attended the Creighton School in the city. Davies lived in Carlisle until he moved to study at university. During this time his father, who was a former RAF pay clerk, developed multiple sclerosis
and had to retire on medical grounds from a civil service career. Davies joined the sixth form at Carlisle Grammar School and was awarded a place at University College
, Durham
to read for an Honours Degree in History, but after his first year he switched to a general arts course. He gained his first writing experience as a student, contributing to the university newspaper, Palatinate. However after completing his degree course he stayed on at Durham for another year to gain a teaching diploma.
with Paul McCartney
when he met him to discuss the possibility of providing the theme song for the film. McCartney liked the idea of the book and advised him to obtain the approval of Brian Epstein
. He agreed to it and the resulting authorised biography, The Beatles, was published in 1968.
John Lennon
mentioned in his 1971 Rolling Stone
interview that he considered the book 'bullshit', though Lennon at the time was vigorously debunking the Beatle myth and anyone who had helped to create it.
In 1972 he wrote what is widely regarded as one of the best ever books about football, The Glory Game, a behind the scenes portrait of Tottenham Hotspur. Davies also wrote a wry column about his daily life in Punch
called "Father's Day", presenting himself as a harried paterfamilias. In 1974 he was sent by the Sunday Times to look at a comprehensive school in action. He wrote three articles and then stayed on at the school – Creighton School in Muswell Hill
, North London
, now part of Fortismere School
– to watch and study through a year in its life. The result was a book, the Creighton Report, published in 1976.
Davies has also written a biography of the hill walker Alfred Wainwright
, and many works about the topography and history of the Lake District
.
In children's literature
, he has written the "Ossie", "Flossie Teacake" and "Snotty Bumstead" series of novels.
As a ghostwriter
, he has worked on the autobiographies of footballers Wayne Rooney
, Paul Gascoigne
and Dwight Yorke
. The Wayne Rooney biography led to a successful libel action in 2008 by David Moyes, the manager of his former club, Everton. He has also ghostwritten politician John Prescott
's 2008 autobiography, Prezza, My Story: Pulling no Punches.
He writes a football column for the New Statesman
magazine which is written in his trademark humorous, irreverent tone. A compilation of these articles was released as a book, The Fan, in 2005 by Pomona Press. Davies writes "Confessions of a Collector" in The Guardian
s Weekend colour magazine. He has written a book about his collections with the same title
From moving to Carlisle aged 11, Davies next adopted English Football League club Carlisle United F.C.
He is Vice President of the Carlisle United Supporters Club London Branch.
Long time resident in London
, Davies' third adopted team is Tottenham Hotspur.
In international football Hunter Davies supports Scotland
.
and their daughter Caitlin Davies
is also an author.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
author
Author
An author is broadly defined as "the person who originates or gives existence to anything" and that authorship determines responsibility for what is created. Narrowly defined, an author is the originator of any written work.-Legal significance:...
, journalist
Journalist
A journalist collects and distributes news and other information. A journalist's work is referred to as journalism.A reporter is a type of journalist who researchs, writes, and reports on information to be presented in mass media, including print media , electronic media , and digital media A...
and broadcaster
Presenter
A presenter, or host , is a person or organization responsible for running an event. A museum or university, for example, may be the presenter or host of an exhibit. Likewise, a master of ceremonies is a person that hosts or presents a show...
, perhaps best known for writing the only authorised biography of The Beatles
The Beatles
The Beatles were an English rock band, active throughout the 1960s and one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music. Formed in Liverpool, by 1962 the group consisted of John Lennon , Paul McCartney , George Harrison and Ringo Starr...
.
Early life
Davies was born in JohnstoneJohnstone
Johnstone is a town in the council area of Renfrewshire and larger historic county of the same name in the west central Lowlands of Scotland.The town lies three miles west of neighbouring Paisley and twelve miles west of the centre of the city of Glasgow...
to Scottish parents. For 4 years his family lived in Dumfries
Dumfries
Dumfries is a market town and former royal burgh within the Dumfries and Galloway council area of Scotland. It is near the mouth of the River Nith into the Solway Firth. Dumfries was the county town of the former county of Dumfriesshire. Dumfries is nicknamed Queen of the South...
until Davies was aged 11. Davies has frequently quoted his boyhood hero as being football centre-forward, Billy Houliston
Billy Houliston
William "Billy" Houliston was a Scottish footballer who played for Crichton, Queen of the South, Berwick Rangers, Third Lanark and the Scotland national team.-Early years:...
, of Davies' then local team, Queen of the South
Queen of the South F.C.
Queen of the South Football Club is a Scottish professional football club founded in 1919 and located in Dumfries. The club currently plays in the Scottish First Division, the second tier of Scottish football. They are officially nicknamed The Doonhamers, but usually referred to as Queens or QoS...
His family moved to Carlisle when Davies was 11 and he attended the Creighton School in the city. Davies lived in Carlisle until he moved to study at university. During this time his father, who was a former RAF pay clerk, developed multiple sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis is an inflammatory disease in which the fatty myelin sheaths around the axons of the brain and spinal cord are damaged, leading to demyelination and scarring as well as a broad spectrum of signs and symptoms...
and had to retire on medical grounds from a civil service career. Davies joined the sixth form at Carlisle Grammar School and was awarded a place at University College
University College, Durham
University College, commonly known as Castle, is a college of the University of Durham in England. Centred around Durham Castle on Palace Green, it was founded in 1832 and is the oldest of Durham's colleges. As with all of Durham's colleges, it is, independently of the University, a listed body...
, Durham
Durham University
The University of Durham, commonly known as Durham University, is a university in Durham, England. It was founded by Act of Parliament in 1832 and granted a Royal Charter in 1837...
to read for an Honours Degree in History, but after his first year he switched to a general arts course. He gained his first writing experience as a student, contributing to the university newspaper, Palatinate. However after completing his degree course he stayed on at Durham for another year to gain a teaching diploma.
Writing career
After he left university Davies worked as a journalist and in 1965 he wrote the novel Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush that was quickly made into a film. He raised the idea of a biography of The BeatlesThe Beatles
The Beatles were an English rock band, active throughout the 1960s and one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music. Formed in Liverpool, by 1962 the group consisted of John Lennon , Paul McCartney , George Harrison and Ringo Starr...
with Paul McCartney
Paul McCartney
Sir James Paul McCartney, MBE, Hon RAM, FRCM is an English musician, singer-songwriter and composer. Formerly of The Beatles and Wings , McCartney is listed in Guinness World Records as the "most successful musician and composer in popular music history", with 60 gold discs and sales of 100...
when he met him to discuss the possibility of providing the theme song for the film. McCartney liked the idea of the book and advised him to obtain the approval of Brian Epstein
Brian Epstein
Brian Samuel Epstein , was an English music entrepreneur, and is best known for being the manager of The Beatles up until his death. He also managed several other musical artists such as Gerry & the Pacemakers, Billy J. Kramer and the Dakotas, Cilla Black, The Remo Four & The Cyrkle...
. He agreed to it and the resulting authorised biography, The Beatles, was published in 1968.
John Lennon
John Lennon
John Winston Lennon, MBE was an English musician and singer-songwriter who rose to worldwide fame as one of the founding members of The Beatles, one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music...
mentioned in his 1971 Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone is a US-based magazine devoted to music, liberal politics, and popular culture that is published every two weeks. Rolling Stone was founded in San Francisco in 1967 by Jann Wenner and music critic Ralph J...
interview that he considered the book 'bullshit', though Lennon at the time was vigorously debunking the Beatle myth and anyone who had helped to create it.
In 1972 he wrote what is widely regarded as one of the best ever books about football, The Glory Game, a behind the scenes portrait of Tottenham Hotspur. Davies also wrote a wry column about his daily life in Punch
Punch (magazine)
Punch, or the London Charivari was a British weekly magazine of humour and satire established in 1841 by Henry Mayhew and engraver Ebenezer Landells. Historically, it was most influential in the 1840s and 50s, when it helped to coin the term "cartoon" in its modern sense as a humorous illustration...
called "Father's Day", presenting himself as a harried paterfamilias. In 1974 he was sent by the Sunday Times to look at a comprehensive school in action. He wrote three articles and then stayed on at the school – Creighton School in Muswell Hill
Muswell Hill
Muswell Hill is a suburb of north London, mostly in the London Borough of Haringey. It is situated about north of Charing Cross and around from the City of London. Muswell Hill is in the N10 postal district and mostly in the Hornsey and Wood Green parliamentary constituency.- History :The...
, North London
North London
North London is the northern part of London, England. It is an imprecise description and the area it covers is defined differently for a range of purposes. Common to these definitions is that it includes districts located north of the River Thames and is used in comparison with South...
, now part of Fortismere School
Fortismere School
Fortismere School is a mixed, community foundation secondary school in Muswell Hill, London, United Kingdom.-Admissions:It falls under the London Borough of Haringey Local Education Authority...
– to watch and study through a year in its life. The result was a book, the Creighton Report, published in 1976.
Davies has also written a biography of the hill walker Alfred Wainwright
Alfred Wainwright
Alfred Wainwright MBE was a British fellwalker, guidebook author and illustrator. His seven-volume Pictorial Guide to the Lakeland Fells, published between 1955 and 1966 and consisting entirely of reproductions of his manuscript, has become the standard reference work to 214 of the fells of the...
, and many works about the topography and history of the Lake District
Lake District
The Lake District, also commonly known as The Lakes or Lakeland, is a mountainous region in North West England. A popular holiday destination, it is famous not only for its lakes and its mountains but also for its associations with the early 19th century poetry and writings of William Wordsworth...
.
In children's literature
Children's literature
Children's literature is for readers and listeners up to about age twelve; it is often defined in four different ways: books written by children, books written for children, books chosen by children, or books chosen for children. It is often illustrated. The term is used in senses which sometimes...
, he has written the "Ossie", "Flossie Teacake" and "Snotty Bumstead" series of novels.
As a ghostwriter
Ghostwriter
A ghostwriter is a professional writer who is paid to write books, articles, stories, reports, or other texts that are officially credited to another person. Celebrities, executives, and political leaders often hire ghostwriters to draft or edit autobiographies, magazine articles, or other written...
, he has worked on the autobiographies of footballers Wayne Rooney
Wayne Rooney
Wayne Mark Rooney is an English footballer who plays as a striker for Premier League club Manchester United and the England national team...
, Paul Gascoigne
Paul Gascoigne
Paul John Gascoigne , commonly referred to as Gazza, is a retired English professional footballer.Playing in the position of midfield, Gascoigne's career included spells at Newcastle United, Tottenham Hotspur, Lazio, Rangers, Middlesbrough, Everton and Gansu Tianma, where he scored at least a goal...
and Dwight Yorke
Dwight Yorke
Dwight Eversley Yorke is a Trinidad and Tobago former football player. He played for Aston Villa for most of his career, followed by stints with Manchester United, Blackburn Rovers, Birmingham City, Sydney FC and Sunderland...
. The Wayne Rooney biography led to a successful libel action in 2008 by David Moyes, the manager of his former club, Everton. He has also ghostwritten politician John Prescott
John Prescott
John Leslie Prescott, Baron Prescott is a British politician who was Deputy Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1997 to 2007. Born in Prestatyn, Wales, he represented Hull East as the Labour Member of Parliament from 1970 to 2010...
's 2008 autobiography, Prezza, My Story: Pulling no Punches.
He writes a football column for the New Statesman
New Statesman
New Statesman is a British centre-left political and cultural magazine published weekly in London. Founded in 1913, and connected with leading members of the Fabian Society, the magazine reached a circulation peak in the late 1960s....
magazine which is written in his trademark humorous, irreverent tone. A compilation of these articles was released as a book, The Fan, in 2005 by Pomona Press. Davies writes "Confessions of a Collector" in The Guardian
The Guardian
The Guardian, formerly known as The Manchester Guardian , is a British national daily newspaper in the Berliner format...
s Weekend colour magazine. He has written a book about his collections with the same title
Football fan
Hunter Davies has regularly stated that the first football team he supported was when he lived in Dumfries, Queen of the South F.C.Queen of the South F.C.
Queen of the South Football Club is a Scottish professional football club founded in 1919 and located in Dumfries. The club currently plays in the Scottish First Division, the second tier of Scottish football. They are officially nicknamed The Doonhamers, but usually referred to as Queens or QoS...
From moving to Carlisle aged 11, Davies next adopted English Football League club Carlisle United F.C.
Carlisle United F.C.
Carlisle United F.C. is an English football club based in Carlisle, Cumbria, where they play at Brunton Park. Formed in 1904, the club currently compete in League One, the third tier of the English football league system....
He is Vice President of the Carlisle United Supporters Club London Branch.
Long time resident in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, Davies' third adopted team is Tottenham Hotspur.
In international football Hunter Davies supports Scotland
Scotland national football team
The Scotland national football team represents Scotland in international football and is controlled by the Scottish Football Association. Scotland are the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside England, whom they played in the world's first international football match in 1872...
.
Personal life
Davies is married to the writer Margaret ForsterMargaret Forster
Margaret Forster is a British author. She was born in Carlisle, England, where she attended Carlisle and County High School for Girls , and then won an Open Scholarship to read modern history at Somerville College, Oxford, from where she graduated in 1960.After a short period as a teacher at...
and their daughter Caitlin Davies
Caitlin Davies
Caitlin Davies is an English author. Her parents are Margaret Forster and Hunter Davies, both well-known writers.Although born in England, Davies has been associated with Botswana since 1990 when she met her husband, Ron, while studying for a Masters in English at Clark University, USA...
is also an author.
Selected works
- Here we go, round the mulberry bush (1965)
- The Beatles, (1968)
- The Beatles, (1978), McGraw-Hill. ISBN 0-07-015463-5
- The Beatles, (2nd Revised Edition, 1985), McGraw-Hill. ISBN 0-07-015526-7.
- The Creighton Report: A Year in the Life of a Comprehensive School, (1976), Hamish Hamilton. ISBN 0-241-89412-3.
- Come On, Ossie! (1985) illustrator Malou Bonicos. Bodley Head Children's Books: ISBN 0-3703-0895-6.
- Ossie Goes Supersonic (1986) illustrator Malou Bonicos. Bodley Head Children's Books: ISBN 0-3703-1007-1.
- Ossie the Millionaire (1987) illustrator Malou Bonicos. Bodley Head Children's Books: ISBN 0-3703-1111-6.
- Wainwright: The Biography (1995), Michael Joseph. ISBN 0-7181-3909-7
- A Walk Round The Lakes, (2000), Orion. ISBN 0-7528-3390-1.
- The Quarrymen, (2001), Omnibus. ISBN 0-7119-8526-X.
- Confessions of a Collector, (2009), Quercus. ISBN 978-1-84724-604-2.
Additional bibliography
- The Other Half
- The New London Spy
- The Rise and Fall of Jake Sullivan
- I Knew Daisy Smuten
- A Very Loving Couple
- Body Change
- A Walk Along the Wall
- George Stephenson
- William Wordsworth
- The Grades
- Father's Day
- A Walk Along the Tracks
- Great Britain: A Celebration
- Flossie Teacake's Fur Coat
- Snotty Bumstead Collection
- A Walk Around London's Parks
- A Good Guide to the Lakes
- The Joy of Stamps
- Back in the U.S.S.R.
- Beatrix Potter's Lakeland
- My Life in Football
- In Search of Columbus
- Striker
- Hunting People
- The Teller of Tales
- Living on the Lottery
- Born 1900: A Human History of the Twentieth Century - For Everyone Who Was There.