Paul Crompton

John Battersby Crompton Lamburn, also known by pseudonyms like John Lambourne and John Crompton, was a British author with a varied life. His early years included service in the British South Africa Police in Rhodesia during World War I, followed by extensive travel in China with a shipping firm. Upon returning to England in the 1930s, he began writing fiction, with 'The Kingdom That Was' being a notable fantasy work. He later served in the RAF during World War II.

After the war, Lamburn focused on writing about natural history under the name John Crompton. He presented himself as a layman writing for other laymen, making complex biological subjects accessible to a broad audience. While not a trained scientist, his writings were noted for their readability and thoughtful engagement with topics like evolution and insect behavior, drawing on his extensive personal experiences and research from various sources. His notes and personal accounts were largely lost due to an act of arson.

Born in 1893, John Battersby Crompton Lamburn's early life took an unexpected turn from his father's clerical aspirations. At twenty, he joined the British South Africa Police, serving as a trooper from 1913 to 1919, which encompassed World War I. His experiences in Rhodesia, patrolling undeveloped territories and managing remote out-stations, deeply influenced his writing, both in fiction and non-fiction. He described this period as a 'glorious life' in unspoiled country teeming with wildlife. After his service, he moved to the Far East, spending thirteen years traveling extensively throughout China for a shipping firm, an experience that also informed his later works.

Lamburn adopted multiple pseudonyms throughout his writing career. He primarily used 'John Lambourne' or 'John B.C. Lambourne' for his fiction, with 'The Kingdom That Was' (1931) being a recognized fantasy novel. Later, under the name 'John Crompton', he authored popular books on natural history. His literary output continued after returning to England in the 1930s, where he also married and settled. He had already published fiction prior to this period, including 'The White Kaffir' and 'Trooper Fault', indicating a sustained engagement with writing. His second novel, 'Strong Waters', and 'The Second Leopard' were also published in 1932.

As John Crompton, Lamburn dedicated himself to writing about natural history, positioning himself as a layman communicating with fellow laypeople. His books covered a variety of biological subjects with clarity and intelligence, making them accessible to a wider and younger readership. Though he acknowledged occasional inaccuracies and held somewhat naive views on theoretical matters like evolution, his writing was praised for its readability, entertainment, and instructional value. He drew heavily on popular scientific writings and personal correspondence, crediting his sources while also offering his own considered opinions, particularly regarding the work of naturalists like Jean-Henri Fabre.

“country we shall see no more”