Julian Stockwin
Encyclopedia
Julian Stockwin is an author of historical action-adventure fiction.
in the Cutty Sark
, the sea was in his blood.
After grammar school, his father sent him to sea-training school at Indefatigable at age 14. He joined the Royal Navy
at 15 and transferred to the Royal Australian Navy
when his family emigrated. Stockwin served eight years, and was eventually rated petty officer.
Stockwin attended the University of Tasmania
to read Far Eastern studies and psychology
. He did post-graduate work in cross-cultural psychology
. He got involved in the manufacture and design of computers and software development
. Returning to the navy and the Royal Navy Reserve, Stockwin was honoured with an MBE
and retired as Lt Commander.
He returned to the United Kingdom
in 1990 and started to write in 1996. Naturally the subject was the sea.
He currently resides in Ivybridge
, Devon
.
Biography
Born in 1944, Stockwin soon developed a love for the sea. Having an uncle, Tom Clay, who was a seaman in square-rigged ships and had sailed around Cape HornCape Horn
Cape Horn is the southernmost headland of the Tierra del Fuego archipelago of southern Chile, and is located on the small Hornos Island...
in the Cutty Sark
Cutty Sark
The Cutty Sark is a clipper ship. Built in 1869, she served as a merchant vessel , and then as a training ship until being put on public display in 1954...
, the sea was in his blood.
After grammar school, his father sent him to sea-training school at Indefatigable at age 14. He joined the Royal Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
at 15 and transferred to the Royal Australian Navy
Royal Australian Navy
The Royal Australian Navy is the naval branch of the Australian Defence Force. Following the Federation of Australia in 1901, the ships and resources of the separate colonial navies were integrated into a national force: the Commonwealth Naval Forces...
when his family emigrated. Stockwin served eight years, and was eventually rated petty officer.
Stockwin attended the University of Tasmania
University of Tasmania
The University of Tasmania is a medium-sized public Australian university based in Tasmania, Australia. Officially founded on 1 January 1890, it was the fourth university to be established in nineteenth-century Australia...
to read Far Eastern studies and psychology
Psychology
Psychology is the study of the mind and behavior. Its immediate goal is to understand individuals and groups by both establishing general principles and researching specific cases. For many, the ultimate goal of psychology is to benefit society...
. He did post-graduate work in cross-cultural psychology
Cross-cultural psychology
Cross-cultural psychology is the scientific study of human behavior and mental process, including both their variability and invariance, under diverse cultural conditions...
. He got involved in the manufacture and design of computers and software development
Software development
Software development is the development of a software product...
. Returning to the navy and the Royal Navy Reserve, Stockwin was honoured with an MBE
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
and retired as Lt Commander.
He returned to the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
in 1990 and started to write in 1996. Naturally the subject was the sea.
He currently resides in Ivybridge
Ivybridge
Ivybridge is a small town and civil parish in the South Hams, in Devon, England. It lies about east of Plymouth. It is at the southern extremity of Dartmoor, a National Park of England and Wales and lies along the A38 "Devon Expressway" road...
, Devon
Devon
Devon is a large county in southwestern England. The county is sometimes referred to as Devonshire, although the term is rarely used inside the county itself as the county has never been officially "shired", it often indicates a traditional or historical context.The county shares borders with...
.
Thomas Kydd series
- KyddKyddKydd, first published in 2001, is a historical novel by Julian Stockwin. This first instalment in Julian Stockwin's series of novels set during the Age of Fighting Sail tells the story of young Kydd, who is pressed into service on a British ship in 1793...
(2001) - Artemis (2002)
- Seaflower (2003)
- Mutiny (2004)
- Quarterdeck (2005)
- Tenacious (2005)
- Command (2006)
- The Admiral's Daughter (2007)
- Treachery (2008) (US title "The Privateer's Revenge")
- Invasion (2009)
- Victory (2010)
- Conquest (6/2011)
Reviews
"In Stockwin’s hands the sea story will continue to entrance readers across the world." The Guardian.
"Another thundering good read for those who love seagoing stories in the Hornblower mould" Peterborough Evening Telegraph on TREACHERY
"Another ripping yarn" Good Book Guide on TREACHERY
"I was turning the pages almost indecently fast" Independent on KYDD
"Stockwin paints a vivid picture of life aboard the mighty ship-of-the-line...the harsh naval discipline, the rancid food, and the skill of the common sailor are all skilfully evoked." Daily Express on KYDD
"Stockwin is a born storyteller and a man with a vivid imagination. Importantly, his research is accurate and first class." Flagship on TREACHERY
"More historically accurate than the Patrick O'Brian series." Royal Navy Sailing Association journal on the KYDD series