Richard Eves

William Matthew Scott, who wrote under the pen name Will Scott, was a British author active from 1920 to 1965. Born in Leeds in 1893, he came from a working-class background and initially trained as a lithographic artist and caricaturist. Scott's early career included work as an artist for magazines and newspapers, and he also wrote stage plays that were adapted into films. He is credited with writing an estimated 2,000 short stories, a number believed to be a record in the UK during his lifetime.

Despite health issues that prevented him from serving in World War I, Scott was a prolific writer throughout his life. He moved to Herne Bay, Kent, seeking a less strenuous environment, and this area heavily influenced his writing. While he later became best known for "The Cherrys" series for children, published from 1952 to 1965, his earlier work included detective novels. Scott was described as a private individual who, despite shunning personal spotlight, contributed to his local community through directing amateur theatre and creating an emblem for Herne Bay. He passed away in 1964, leaving behind a substantial body of work.

Born in Leeds in 1893, William Matthew Scott grew up in working-class neighborhoods. His father was a joiner, and his mother worked as a dressmaker. Scott's early life was marked by the urban environment of Leeds, including its industrial pollution and historical epidemics. He began his artistic journey as a lithographic artist apprentice and by his early twenties was working as a caricaturist in Leeds, contributing to magazines. His artistic inclinations extended to a brief period as an art editor before he transitioned fully into writing. Scott's early exposure to theaters at a young age is cited as a significant inspiration for his creative path.

Scott's writing career spanned over four decades, producing a vast range of material. He penned detective novels and stage plays, with at least one, "The Limping Man," being adapted into films. His most prolific output was in the form of short stories, with an estimated 2,000 contributions to magazines and newspapers, a figure thought to be a record for his time in the United Kingdom. Later in his career, Scott focused on writing for younger audiences, most notably with "The Cherrys" series, which ran from 1952 to 1965. This shift towards children's literature was reportedly inspired by his grandchildren.

Due to recurring health problems, Scott relocated to Herne Bay, Kent, where he lived for much of his adult life. The coastal town and its surroundings served as inspiration for the settings in many of his books, including "Half-Term Trail." Despite his reserved nature, Scott was actively involved in the Herne Bay community. He directed the local amateur dramatic society, "The Mask Players," for a decade and designed an emblem for the town, incorporating local symbols. During World War II, he served as a fire point guard for his street. He also co-published an alternative local newspaper, the "Herne Bay Guardian," in the 1920s, which aimed to present differing local viewpoints.

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