A.J. Cronin (19 July, 1896 – 6 January,1981) was a Scottish novelist, best known for his 1937 book The Citadel.
© the artist. Photo credit: West Dunbartonshire Council
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- The author was born in Cardross, Dunbartonshire as Archibald Joseph Cronin. His father, an insurance agent, died from tuberculosis when the boy was just 7 years old.
- At school Mr. Cronin was a gifted athlete as well as a student, wining prizes in many disciplines.
- Mr. Cronin was an avid golfer and salmon fisherman.
- When it came time to choose a profession, the Cronin family gave him a choice: join the church or study medicine. Mr. Cronin chose “the lesser of two evils” and wen to study medicine at the University of Glasgow. Of course, he won a scholarship.
- In World War I, Mr. Cronin was a surgeon sub-lieutenant in the Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve. This was before he graduated from medical school.
- Once done with school, the author opened a general practice of Clyde, Garelochhead, a small mining town in South Wales.
- By 1924 Mr. Cronin was appointed Medical Inspector of Mines for Great Britain.
- When diagnosed with chronic ulcer in1930, Mr. Cronin took six months rest in the country (for a diet of milk) and was able to write a novel.
- The novel, Hatter’s Castle, took three months to write and was an immediate success. Mr. Cronin never practice medicine again.
- His novel, The Citadel, published in 1937 is credited with helping to establish the National Health Service (NHS).
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Fun Facts Friday: A.J. Cronin
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A.J. Cronin (19 July, 1896 – 6 January,1981) was a Scottish novelist, best known for his 1937 book The Citadel.
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Man of la Book
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