Monthly Spotlight

March 2007

John Buchan

Our February Spotlight looks at the varied life and career of the Scottish novelist John Buchan, born in Perth in 1875. His first book, an edition of Bacon's Essays was published whilst he was still a teenager. Whilst studying at Oxford, he continued to write novels, essays and A History of Brasenose College.

Buchan began a law career in 1901, but soon moved into politics, becoming the private secretary to the South Africa high commissioner, falling in love with the country during his two years spent there. The country inspired him to write several books. In 1906 he became a partner in the publishing firm Nelson, eventually becoming a director.

In 1910, he wrote Prester John, his first adventure novel, set in South Africa. In 1913, his first thriller, The Power House, was serialised in Blackwood's Magazine. He decided to write another thriller, originally called The Black Stone. The title was then changed to The Thirty-Nine Steps which was published in 1915. Over the next twenty years, Buchan published five further adventures, featuring Richard Hannay and set in South Africa; Greenmantle (1916), Mr Standfast (1919), The Three Hostages (1924), The Courts of Mourning (1929) and The Island of Sheep (1936).

During the First World War, Buchan was variously a Times war correspondent, a propagandist for Haig, and eventually ran the Department of Information. Buchan wrote a twelve-volume history of the War as events unfolded. Shortly after the war finished, he produced a shorten four volume-edition. He also wrote several books paying homage to the dead, including Days to Remember (1923). Perhaps one of his most under-estimated books is The Dancing Floor (1926), which explores pagan ceremonies and myths.

Buchan became a Scottish Unionist MP in 1927. In 1935 he became Governor General of Canada and was created Baron Tweedsmuir. He continued to write after becoming Governor General. His later books included history and novels as well as an autobiography.

Buchan died of a stroke-related head injury in 1940. He was given a state funeral in Ottawa. His ashes were returned to England and buried in the churchyard of Elsfield, in Oxfordshire. With his death, the world lost one of the most talented, and popular authors of the last century.

Many other books by John Buchan are available: please click on

John Buchan Books

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