Figure 1.-- I can't make out who the illustrator is but it looks like 'Stead'. Biggles wears an Eton collar with a bow. It shows an early 20th century school uniform, with a standard Eton collar and jacket. I an mot sure that bows were all that common. The hair cut seems typical, complete with a cowlick. |
James Bigglesworth or Biggles was one of the most popular boys' novels in the 1950s. These were
really children's literature, but the Biggles' books were so popular that Biggles have to be considred as an important English
literature character. James Bigglesworth, or Biggles as he is better known, was created by Captain W.E. Johns. Jone wrote 80 books about Biggles and his airplane adventures. The Biggles saga begins in India--Britain's most important colony. He was born in May or August 1899. As was the case for many British boys in India, Biggles was sent home to go to school at age of 12. (Some British boys were sent home for their prep school.) Biggles apparently had trouble with India's tropical climate. He was sent home to England because he coudn't take the climate. At about age 15, Biggles begins at Malton Hall boarding school which focuses on preparing the boys to enter a military academy. Biggles was not the normal English school story. In fact, it was an aviation adventure story. In many ways, however, Biggles was a school story set in the RAF. He is perhaps better known as an aviation hero.
James Bigglesworth, or Biggles as he is better known, was created by Captain W.E. Johns. Jones was born in 1893. Jones was born in Norfolk where he, like Biggles, received his flight traing. He flew for the RAF in World War I. The Germans shot him down twice. German air ace Ernst Udet hot him down the secnd time. (Udet became an important Luftwaffe functionary, but but was not a committed NAZI. He committed suicide when he saw that the war could not be won and was apauled by the German atrocities in the East.) Johns manged to land, but had five bullets in him. The Germans sentenced him to death for dropping bombs on cities, but Johns escape. He was ventually recaptured and spent the rest of the War in a Bavarian prison camp. With his knowledge of aircraft and drawing abilities, after the War he began working as an illustrator and writer for various air publications.
He eventually founded his own magazine, Popular Flying. He also wrote two adventure novels about a fighter pilot. Over lunch with a RAF officer, named Bigglesworth the idea for Biggles was born. Johns died in 1968
Jone wrote 80 books about Biggles and his airplane adventures. The first Biggle story was published as a serial story in Popular
Flying during 1930. A publisher was impressed and convinced Johns that he should write a book about Biggles which was published in 1932. The two books about a boy were The Boy Biggles and Biggles Goes to School.
The Biggles saga begins in India--Britain's most important colony. He was born in May or August 1899. John Henry Bigglesworth, his father, reportldy had Scottish ancestors. He worked in the British colonial government. His mother was Catherine Lacey . The family lives in Garhval. Some of the lessons and skills the young Biggles learns in India prove very useful, includng shooting, organising, leadership, tactics, honesty and courage. This is all recounted in Biggles Goes to School.
Johns bever really described Biggles' appearance in detail There was not much beyond thin and ruddy. The illustration here is a wonderful drawing showing a boy of mature demeanour and attractive sophistication. In the book here, he is decribed thusly, "The master saw a slight, neatly-dressed, delicate-looking boy, with a sensitive face, thoughtful eyes and a small but firm mouth. Fair hair was parted at the side."
As was the case for many British boys in India, Biggles was sent home to go to school at age of 12. (Some British boys were sent home for their prep school.) Biggles apparently had trouble with India's tropical climate. He was sent home to England because he coudn't take the climate. At about age 15, Biggles begins at Malton Hall boarding school which focuses on preparing the boys to enter a military academy.
In the forward the author explains that Malton Hall School ran on similar lines as any other boarding school of the day. 'He was no better and no worse than any other schoolboy of his age and era. Like any normal boy, he excelled in some subjects and failed dismally in others." He has a hard time at first as many of the other boys are tougher than he is and apparently he is still recovering from illnesses contracted in India. Biggles eventually makes good friends with the other fellows at Malton Hall. The first time he sees an airplane he decides that he is going to become a pilot. This is all recounted in The Boy Biggles.
Biggles was not the normal English school story. In fact, it was an aviation adventure story. In many ways, however, Biggles was a school story set in the RAF. He is perhaps better known as an aviation hero. During World war I he reports for pilot trining. Biggles was a most upright pilot. He is always a good sport, never cusses, is always a good sports, never over drinks. He is perhaps best known as a valliant RAF fighter pilot during World War II. Biggles was the image of the cheerful, cricket playing public school boys that took on Hitler's vaunted Luftwaffe. Biggles best friends weres his cousin Algey Lacey and his protege´ Ginger Hebbleswaithe. He flew a great range of planes from Britain's World War I Sopwith Camel to the most modern jetplanes.
'Biggles' was immensely popular with schoolboys and no doubt was in the same ranks in readership as 'Jennings', 'Billy
Bunter' and similar genre of books.
I can't make out who the illustrator is but it looks like 'Stead'.
Biggles wears an Eton collar with a bow. It shows an early 20th century school uniform, with a standard Eton cllar and jacket. I an mot sure that bows were all that common. The hair cut seems typical, complete with cowlick. (figure 1).
Unlike many British literary heros, Biggles was never made into a movie. Johns rejected several films offers.
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