Shirley Lawrence

William Matthew Scott, who wrote under the pen name Will Scott, was a British author active from 1920 to 1965. He was born in Leeds in 1893 and experienced a working-class upbringing in areas marked by poverty and historical health challenges. Scott's early career involved working as an artist and caricaturist, with his first drawing published at age 14. He was unable to serve in World War I due to ill health. Scott and his wife had two daughters, and he later moved to Herne Bay, Kent, where he lived for much of his adult life. He passed away in 1964 in Canterbury.

Throughout his writing career, Scott was remarkably productive. He penned numerous detective novels and stage plays, some of which were adapted into films. He also contributed an estimated 2,000 short stories to magazines and newspapers, a figure believed to be a United Kingdom record at the time. Towards the latter part of his career, Scott became best known for "The Cherrys" series, a collection of children's books published between 1952 and 1965, which he began writing for his grandchildren. Despite his extensive output, his books were out of print as of 2011. Scott was described as a private individual who avoided the spotlight, though he was involved in local amateur theatricals and even created an emblem for Herne Bay.

Born in Leeds in 1893, William Matthew Scott grew up in working-class neighborhoods adjacent to industrial pollution and areas with a history of epidemics. His father was a joiner, and his mother initially a dressmaker. Scott's early artistic talents were evident, as his first drawing was published when he was just 14. He pursued a career as a lithographic artist apprentice and later as an artist and caricaturist in London, contributing to publications like the Performer magazine. His health was precarious, preventing him from serving in World War I.

Scott transitioned to full-time writing, primarily based in Herne Bay, Kent, from 1920 onwards. He utilized several pseudonyms, including "Anthony Grey" and "Wensley Smith," alongside his common pen name, Will Scott. His prolific career spanned detective novels, stage plays, and an extraordinary number of short stories, estimated at 2,000, potentially a UK record. He also co-published an alternative local newspaper, the Herne Bay Guardian. While he wrote adult fiction earlier in his career, his focus shifted to children's literature later on.

The inspiration for Scott's most recognized works, "The Cherrys" series, came from his grandchildren. These books for young readers were published from 1952 until 1965, the year of his death. His later residence in Herne Bay, overlooking Hampton-on-Sea, provided settings for some of his stories, such as "Half-Term Trail." Scott was known for being a shy and private person, preferring to stay out of the public eye, despite his significant literary contributions. His death occurred in 1964, and his legacy is primarily his body of work.

“they are 'the greatest fun in the world'”