Perhaps you’re wondering why this Wetherspoon pub is called The Richmal Crompton. It’s a tribute to a famous author who lived nearby. Richmal Crompton was born Richmal Crompton Lamburn in 1890. She is best known for her Just William series of books.
The first Just William short story was published in 1919. It appeared in Home Magazine and was titled “Rice Mould Pudding”. In 1922, the first collection “Just William” was published. Richmal Crompton wrote 38 William books in total. The last one was published after her death in 1970. It was titled “William the Lawless”.
These books sold over 12 million copies in the UK alone. They have been made into films, plays, and radio and television series. The illustrations by Thomas Henry helped make them so popular. Richmal Crompton also wrote 41 novels for adults. They focused on village life in the Home Counties.
She saw her adult fiction as her real work. However, the William books were much more successful. She created the character William for adults. It is interesting that she saw “Just William” as a potboiler.
As a child, Richmal Crompton attended St Elphin’s Boarding School. Later, she attended Royal Holloway College and graduated in 1914. She earned a BA honors degree in Classics.
After graduating, she became a teacher. She taught at St Elphin’s and later at Bromley High School. She contracted poliomyelitis in 1923. This left her without the use of her right leg. She then gave up teaching to write full-time.
Richmal Crompton never married and had no children. She lived with her mother and later with her sister. After the success of her books, she had a house built in Bromley Common. It was named The Glebe.
She lived in Bromley for many years. Later, she moved to Chislehurst in the early 1950s. She lived in a house called Beechworth. She became involved in the local community. She attended church and supported the Conservative party.
Richmal Crompton died in 1969 at the age of 78. She passed away in Farnborough Hospital after a heart attack.
The character of William was inspired by her nephew Tommy. According to actor John Teed, Tommy “used to get up to all sorts of tricks”. He lived next door to Richmal Crompton. Her stories center around family and social life. They often show children as puzzled observers of the adult world.
The William books have been translated into many languages. The novel “Good Omens” by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett was inspired by Just William. The initial title was “William the Antichrist”.
So, as you enjoy your time in The Richmal Crompton pub, remember the talented author. Her stories of William Brown have brought joy to generations of readers. Her legacy lives on through her books and this pub named in her honor.