Adams Media

Richard Adams was an English novelist celebrated for his debut novel, Watership Down. Born in 1920, he studied Modern History at Oxford before serving in the British Army during World War II. Following his military service, Adams joined the British Civil Service, where he worked for many years before dedicating himself fully to writing. His storytelling began informally, sharing tales with his children, which eventually led to the publication of Watership Down. This novel achieved immense international success, earning prestigious awards and revitalizing anthropomorphic fiction. Adams continued to write, producing other notable works such as Maia, Shardik, and The Plague Dogs. Throughout his life, he was a passionate advocate for animal welfare, holding a presidency with the RSPCA and campaigning against animal experimentation. He passed away in 2016 at the age of 96.

Richard Adams pursued a degree in Modern History at Worcester College, Oxford, prior to his military service in the British Army during World War II. He did not see direct combat but served in various locations including Palestine, Europe, and East Asia. After completing his service and returning to Oxford for further studies, he earned his degrees. In 1948, Adams entered the Civil Service, eventually reaching the position of Assistant Secretary in the Ministry of Housing and Local Government. During his tenure in the Civil Service, he began writing stories in his leisure time, often sharing them with his children and grandchildren.

The genesis of Adams' most famous work, Watership Down, occurred during a car journey where he told the story to his daughters. Their encouragement led him to write it down, a process that took two years. Despite initial rejections, the novel was published in 1972 and quickly gained widespread international acclaim for its unique blend of naturalism and anthropomorphism. The book sold over a million copies globally and secured two major British children's book awards. Following the publication of his second novel, Shardik, Adams left the Civil Service in 1974 to pursue writing full-time.

Adams was a fervent supporter of animal welfare. He served as president of the RSPCA for two years starting in 1980, though he later resigned, expressing concern that the organization was prioritizing internal matters over animal welfare. His commitment extended to involvement with Cruelty Free International and a patronage of Animal Aid. Adams used his writing to highlight animal welfare issues, notably in The Plague Dogs, which satirized animal experimentation. He also contributed to a charity book, Gentle Footprints, to support the Born Free Foundation shortly before his 90th birthday.