From the front lines of Italy to the world of children's literature
In short: Before he became a beloved author of children's classics like The Sheep-Pig, Dick King-Smith spent two decades as a farmer and served as a soldier in World War II. His journey from the battlefield to the classroom and finally to international literary success is as remarkable as his stories.
Born in 1922 in Bitton, Gloucestershire, Ronald Gordon King-Smith lived a life defined by dramatic shifts. At 19, he enlisted in the Grenadier Guards, eventually serving as a platoon commander in Italy. His military career was nearly cut short in July 1944 when he was severely wounded by a German-thrown grenade. Sheltering behind a tree saved his life, though he later suffered a life-threatening cerebral embolism. He left the service in 1946 due to disability, transitioning into a twenty-year career as a farmer before finding his calling as a primary school teacher.
It was while teaching at Farmborough Primary School that King-Smith published his first book, The Fox Busters, in 1978. His most famous work, The Sheep-Pig (1983), earned the Guardian Children's Fiction Prize and was later adapted into the 1995 film Babe. The book’s success was global, with translations appearing in fifteen languages. His ability to capture the imagination of young readers led to numerous adaptations of his work for television and film, including The Queen's Nose and The Water Horse: Legend of the Deep.
King-Smith’s personal life was marked by long-standing commitments. He married his childhood sweetheart, Myrle, in 1943, and they remained together until her death in 2000. He later remarried Zona Bedding. By the time of his death in 2011 at age 88, he had left behind a sprawling legacy that included three children, fourteen grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild. His contributions to literature were formally recognized in 2010 when he was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire.
Beyond his writing, King-Smith remained deeply connected to the subjects of his stories, even presenting a television feature on animals. His transition from a soldier and farmer to a celebrated children's author highlights a unique perspective on the world, blending the harsh realities of his early life with the whimsical, animal-centered narratives that defined his later career.
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