History Creator / JamesHerriot

* BittersweetEnding: One segment of ''Every Living Thing'' ends with Herriot having a bad day while still lamenting the fact that a dog passed on, followed shortly by his elderly owner, without Herriot so much as figuring out what the dog's mysterious illness was. However, as he says she must have thought he was a fool, his wife gives him a memento someone saved for him from the client's estate sale: a photo case containing pictures of him, Richard Armitage, and John Wayne, saying "My Favorite Men".

A [[TheFilmOfTheBook film adaptation]] was inevitable, and in 1974 ''All Creatures Great and Small'' was produced, starring Creator/SimonWard as James Herriot and Creator/AnthonyHopkins as Siegfried Farnon. A [[Creator/TheBBC BBC One]] [[Series/AllCreaturesGreatAndSmall1978 series of the same name]], originally airing from 1978–80 (and later revived from 1988–90), proved a much bigger hit, eventually becoming a classic in the UK and making its stars Christopher Timothy (as James), Creator/RobertHardy (as Siegfried), and Creator/PeterDavison (as Tristan) into household names. ''Young James Herriot'', a three-part miniseries covering his student years in the 1930s with the looming threat of fascism casting a shadow, aired in 2012. In 2020, Creator/Channel5 launched yet another adaptation, ''Series/AllCreaturesGreatAndSmall2020'', starring British acting stalwart Creator/SamuelWest as Siegfried Farnon, gifted veteran actress Creator/AnnaMadeley as Mrs Hall, and newcomer Nicholas Ralph as Herriot.

The books also [[TheRedStapler inspired countless students to pursue veterinary medicine]] -- both as veterinarians and as veterinary nurses -- in generations to come, leading to the familiar pre-vet (nursing) professor's admonition that "If you're here because you think it's like the Herriot books, think again!"[[note]]That professor was both right and wrong. The books don't exactly sugarcoat the often dull and exhausting reality of rural veterinary medicine; the very first story finds the young Herriot assisting at a cow's difficult delivery in the middle of the night, his arm up her vagina for hours in a primitive, ill-lit barn, all the while enduring a local busybody criticizing his every move and considering how different the situation is from the textbooks. He is frequently kicked, sprayed with unmentionable fluids, and generally subject to painful slapstick on a regular basis. On the other hand, Herriot also quite accurately portrayed the rush of ecstasy that comes from hitting on the correct diagnosis and administering lifesaving medicine just in the nick of time. Essentially, those who ignored that professor and made it through the exhausting, mind-numbing, brain-overloading courses of study needed to qualify did so because they discovered that the life wasn't nearly as glamorous as they thought and decided they wanted to do it anyway.[[/note]]

A [[TheFilmOfTheBook film adaptation]] was inevitable, and in 1974 ''All Creatures Great and Small'' was produced, starring Creator/SimonWard as James Herriot and Creator/AnthonyHopkins as Siegfried Farnon. A [[Creator/TheBBC BBC One]] [[Series/AllCreaturesGreatAndSmall1978 series of the same name]], originally airing from 1978–80 (and later revived from 1988–90), proved a much bigger hit, eventually becoming a classic in the UK and making its stars Christopher Timothy (as James), Creator/RobertHardy (as Siegfried), and Creator/PeterDavison (as Tristan) into household names. ''Young James Herriot'', a three-part miniseries covering his student years in the 1930s with the looming threat of fascism casting a shadow, aired in 2012. In 2020, Creator/ChannelFive launched yet another adaptation, ''Series/AllCreaturesGreatAndSmall2020'', starring British acting stalwart Creator/SamuelWest as Siegfried Farnon, gifted veteran actress Creator/AnnaMadeley as Mrs Hall, and newcomer Nicholas Ralph as Herriot.

Meanwhile, the veterinary practice he made famous still thrives as [[http://www.skeldalevets.co.uk/ Skeldale Veterinary Centre]], now located on the outskirts of Thirsk. Until 2021, the head veterinary surgeon is Peter Wright, who worked at the old practice with Donald Sinclair and Alf Wight while they were still practicing veterinary medicine; [[https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/arts-and-culture/film-and-tv/the-yorkshire-vet-star-peter-wright-marks-end-of-an-era-as-he-leaves-famous-practice-3257379 he left for a practice that still does large animal work.]]

He entered into what would become a lifetime partnership with the eccentric, mercurial Donald Sinclair,[[note]] Not to be confused with hotel owner Donald Sinclair, who inspired the creation of ''Series/FawltyTowers''. [[/note]] later to be accurately immortalised as Siegfried Farnon. Donald's equally unique younger brother/perpetual student Brian would feature as Siegfried's ditto Tristan, ''aka'' the light comic relief, along with various assistants. Notable among these latter would be Brian Nettleton, 't'vet w' t'badger', later to be fictionalised as 'Calum Buchanan' for the book ''Every Living Thing'' and [[Series/AllCreaturesGreatAndSmall1978 TV series.]] In addition, Wight was often posted to assist other local practices in the Dales themselves, learning to love both the scenery and a host of other richly comic local characters. Also playing a prominent role in both Wight's life and fiction were his wife Joan ''nee'' Danbury (''aka'' 'Helen Alderson') and their children, Jimmy (born 1943) and Rosie (born 1947). Jimmy went into veterinary medicine, while Rosie became a general practitioner.

A [[TheFilmOfTheBook film adaptation]] was inevitable, and in 1974 ''All Creatures Great and Small'' was produced, starring Creator/SimonWard and Creator/AnthonyHopkins. [[Series/AllCreaturesGreatAndSmall1978 The TV series of the same name]], running between 1978-80 (and later revived for 1988-90) was a much bigger hit, eventually becoming a classic in the UK, and would make Christopher Timothy, Creator/RobertHardy and Creator/PeterDavison into household names. A three-part miniseries, ''Young James Herriot'', was broadcast in 2012 covering his student years in the 1930s with the looming threat of fascism casting a shadow. In 2020, Creator/ChannelFive launched another adaptation, ''Series/AllCreaturesGreatAndSmall2020'', starring British acting stalwart Creator/SamuelWest as Siegfried Farnon, gifted veteran actress Creator/AnnaMadeley as Mrs Hall, and newcomer Nicholas Ralph as Herriot.

A [[TheFilmOfTheBook film adaptation]] was inevitable, and in 1974 ''All Creatures Great and Small'' was produced, starring Creator/SimonWard and Creator/AnthonyHopkins. [[Series/AllCreaturesGreatAndSmall1978 The TV series of the same name]], running between 1978-80 (and later revived for 1988-90) was a much bigger hit, eventually becoming a classic in the UK, and would make Christopher Timothy, Creator/RobertHardy and Creator/PeterDavison household names. A three-part miniseries, ''Young James Herriot'', was broadcast in 2012 covering his student years in the 1930s with the looming threat of fascism casting a shadow. In 2020, Creator/ChannelFive launched another adaptation, ''Series/AllCreaturesGreatAndSmall2020'', starring British acting stalwart Creator/SamuelWest as Siegfried Farnon, gifted veteran actress Creator/AnnaMadeley as Mrs Hall, and newcomer Nicholas Ralph as Herriot.

He entered into what would become a lifetime partnership with the eccentric, mercurial Donald Sinclair[[note]]Not to be confused with hotel owner Donald Sinclair, who inspired the creation of ''Series/FawltyTowers''.[[/note]], later to be accurately immortalised as Siegfried Farnon. Donald's equally unique younger brother/perpetual student Brian would feature as Siegfried's ditto Tristan, ''aka'' the light comic relief, along with various assistants. Notable among these latter would be Brian Nettleton, 't'vet w' t'badger', later to be fictionalised as 'Calum Buchanan' for the book ''Every Living Thing'' and [[Series/AllCreaturesGreatAndSmall1978 TV series.]] In addition, Wight was often posted to assist other local practices in the Dales themselves, learning to love both the scenery and a host of other richly comic local characters. Also playing a prominent role in both Wight's life and fiction were his wife Joan ''nee'' Danbury (''aka'' 'Helen Alderson') and their children, Jimmy (born 1943) and Rosie (born 1947). Jimmy went into veterinary medicine, while Rosie became a general practitioner.

The really funny thing is, James Herriot was [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Herriot an obscure Scots soccer player.]]

[[quoteright:300:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/jamesherriot.jpg]]

He entered into what would become a lifetime partnership with the eccentric, mercurial Donald Sinclair[[note]]Not to be confused with hotel owner Donald Sinclair, who inspired the creation of Series/FawltyTowers[[/note]], later to be accurately immortalised as Siegfried Farnon. Donald's equally unique younger brother/perpetual student Brian would feature as Siegfried's ditto Tristan, ''aka'' the light comic relief, along with various assistants. Notable among these latter would be Brian Nettleton, 't'vet w' t'badger', later to be fictionalised as 'Calum Buchanan' for the book ''Every Living Thing'' and [[Series/AllCreaturesGreatAndSmall1978 TV series.]] In addition, Wight was often posted to assist other local practices in the Dales themselves, learning to love both the scenery and a host of other richly comic local characters. Also playing a prominent role in both Wight's life and fiction were his wife Joan ''nee'' Danbury (''aka'' 'Helen Alderson') and their children, Jimmy (born 1943) and Rosie (born 1947). Jimmy went into veterinary medicine, while Rosie became a general practitioner.

A film adaptation was inevitable, and in 1974 "All Creatures Great and Small" was produced starring Simon Ward and Anthony Hopkins. [[Series/AllCreaturesGreatAndSmall1978 The TV series of the same name]], running between 1978-80 (and later revived for 1988-90) was a much bigger hit, eventually becoming a classic in the UK, and would make Christopher Timothy, Creator/RobertHardy and Creator/PeterDavison household names. A three-part miniseries, ''Young James Herriot'', was broadcast in 2012 covering his student years in the 1930s with the looming threat of fascism casting a shadow. In 2020, Creator/ChannelFive launched another adaptation, ''Series/AllCreaturesGreatAndSmall2020'', starring British acting stalwart Creator/SamuelWest as Siegfried Farnon, gifted veteran actress Creator/AnnaMadeley as Mrs Hall, and newcomer Nicholas Ralph as Herriot.

Meanwhile, the veterinary practice he made famous still thrives as Skeldale Veterinary Centre, now located on the outskirts of Thirsk. The head veterinary surgeon is Peter Wright, who worked at the old practice with Donald Sinclair and Alf Wight while they were still practicing veterinary medicine. [[http://www.skeldalevets.co.uk/ And the story goes on....]]

He entered into what would become a lifetime partnership with the eccentric, mercurial Donald Sinclair[[note]]Not to be confused with hotel owner Donald Sinclair, who inspired the creation of Series/FawltyTowers[[/note]], later to be accurately immortalised as Siegfried Farnon. Donald's equally unique younger brother/perpetual student Brian would feature as Siegfried's ditto Tristan, ''aka'' the light comic relief, along with various assistants. Notable among these latter would be Brian Nettleton, 't'vet w' t'badger', later to be fictionalised as 'Calum Buchanan' for the book ''Every Living Thing'' and [[Series/AllCreaturesGreatAndSmall TV series.]] In addition, Wight was often posted to assist other local practices in the Dales themselves, learning to love both the scenery and a host of other richly comic local characters. Also playing a prominent role in both Wight's life and fiction were his wife Joan ''nee'' Danbury (''aka'' 'Helen Alderson') and their children, Jimmy (born 1943) and Rosie (born 1947). Jimmy went into veterinary medicine, while Rosie became a general practitioner.

A film adaptation was inevitable, and in 1974 "All Creatures Great and Small" was produced starring Simon Ward and Anthony Hopkins. [[Series/AllCreaturesGreatAndSmall The TV series of the same name]], running between 1978-80 (and later revived for 1988-90) was a much bigger hit, eventually becoming a classic in the UK, and would make Christopher Timothy, Creator/RobertHardy and Creator/PeterDavison household names. A three-part miniseries, ''Young James Herriot'', was broadcast in 2012 covering his student years in the 1930s with the looming threat of fascism casting a shadow. In 2020, Creator/ChannelFive launched another adaptation, ''Series/AllCreaturesGreatAndSmall2020'', starring British acting stalwart Creator/SamuelWest as Siegfried Farnon, gifted veteran actress Creator/AnnaMadeley as Mrs Hall, and newcomer Nicholas Ralph as Herriot.

A film adaptation was inevitable, and in 1974 "All Creatures Great and Small" was produced starring Simon Ward and Anthony Hopkins. [[Series/AllCreaturesGreatAndSmall The TV series of the same name]], running between 1978-80 (and later revived for 1988-90) was a much bigger hit, eventually becoming a classic in the UK, and would make Christopher Timothy, Creator/RobertHardy and Creator/PeterDavison household names. A three-part miniseries, ''Young James Herriot'', was broadcast in 2012 covering his student years in the 1930s with the looming threat of fascism casting a shadow. In 2020, Creator/ChannelFive launched another adaptation, ''Series/AllCreaturesGreatAndSmall2020'', starring British acting stalwart Samuel West as Siegfried Farnon, gifted veteran actress Creator/AnnaMadeley as Mrs Hall, and newcomer Nicholas Ralph as Herriot.

A film adaptation was inevitable, and in 1974 "All Creatures Great and Small" was produced starring Simon Ward and Anthony Hopkins. [[Series/AllCreaturesGreatAndSmall The TV series of the same name]], running between 1978-80 (and later revived for 1988-90) was a much bigger hit, eventually becoming a classic in the UK, and would make Christopher Timothy, Creator/RobertHardy and Creator/PeterDavison household names. A three-part miniseries, ''Young James Herriot'', was broadcast in 2012 covering his student years in the 1930s with the looming threat of fascism casting a shadow. In 2020, Creator/ChannelFive launched another adaptation, ''Series/AllCreaturesGreatAndSmall2020'', starring British acting stalwart Samuel West as Siegfried Farnon, gifted veteran actress Creator/AnnaMadeley as Mrs Audrey Hall, and newcomer Nicholas Ralph as Herriot.

A film adaptation was inevitable, and in 1974 "All Creatures Great and Small" was produced starring Simon Ward and Anthony Hopkins. [[Series/AllCreaturesGreatAndSmall The TV series of the same name]], running between 1978-80 (and later revived for 1988-90) was a much bigger hit, eventually becoming a classic in the UK, and would make Christopher Timothy, Creator/RobertHardy and Creator/PeterDavison household names. A three-part miniseries, ''Young James Herriot'', was broadcast in 2012 covering his student years in the 1930s with the looming threat of fascism casting a shadow. In 2020, Creator/ChannelFive launched another adaptation, ''Series/AllCreaturesGreatAndSmall2020'', starring veteran British acting stalwart Samuel West as Siegfried Farnon and newcomer Nicholas Ralph as Herriot.

A film adaptation was inevitable, and in 1974 "All Creatures Great and Small" was produced starring Simon Ward and Anthony Hopkins. [[Series/AllCreaturesGreatAndSmall The TV series of the same name]], running between 1978-80 (and later revived for 1988-90) was a much bigger hit, eventually becoming a classic in the UK, and would make Christopher Timothy, Creator/RobertHardy and Creator/PeterDavison household names. A three-part miniseries, ''Young James Herriot'', was broadcast in 2012 covering his student years in the 1930s with the looming threat of fascism casting a shadow. In 2020, Creator/ChannelFive launched another adaptation, ''Series/AllCreaturesGreatAndSmall2020'', starring veteran actor Samuel West as Siegfried Farnon and newcomer Nicholas Ralph as Herriot.

A film adaptation was inevitable, and in 1974 "All Creatures Great and Small" was produced starring Simon Ward and Anthony Hopkins. [[Series/AllCreaturesGreatAndSmall The TV series of the same name]], running between 1978-80 (and later revived for 1988-90) was a much bigger hit, eventually becoming a classic in the UK, and would make Christopher Timothy, Creator/RobertHardy and Creator/PeterDavison household names. A three part miniseries, ''Young James Herriot'', was broadcast in 2012 covering his student years in the 1930s with the looming threat of fascism casting a shadow. In 2020, Creator/ChannelFive launched another adaptation, ''Series/AllCreaturesGreatAndSmall2020''.

Wight was born in 1916 in [[OopNorth Northern England]] but raised in Glasgow, Scotland. Upon qualifying as a veterinary surgeon shortly prior to UsefulNotes/WorldWarII, he ventured into Yorkshire for the first time in 1940, to begin practice in a small farming community seat that he would dub 'Darrowby', but which was in reality Thirsk with some elements borrowed from nearby Sowerby -- ironically enough about twenty miles distant from the harsh, starkly beautiful Dales his stories would make iconic to legions of tourists as 'Herriot Country'.