Ralph Hale Mottram
Encyclopedia
Ralph Hale Mottram was an English writer, known as a novelist, particularly for the Spanish Farm books, and as a war poet
of World War I
.
His father was the chief clerk of Gurney's Bank in Norwich and Mottram had an idyllic childhood growing up in 'Bank House' - a magnificent George II
mansion on Bank Plain - which was later Barclay's Bank and is now a youth centre. The Mottrams were non-conformist and worshipped at the Octagon Chapel, Norwich
in Colegate.
Mottram went from being a bank clerk in Norwich
, before the war, to becoming mayor there in 1953. The Spanish Farm won the 1924 Hawthornden Prize
. He also wrote a biography of John Galsworthy
.
He was a defender of Mousehold Heath
- a large open space in the heart of Norwich. On St. James' Hill, there is a sculpture which depicts the skyline of Norwich which is dedicated to him.
He is buried in the Rosary Cemetery, Norwich
. Mottram once said that 'I knew, when I was four years old, exactly where I could be buried.'
War poet
A War poet is a poet writing in time of and on the subject of war. The term, which is applied especially to those in military service during World War I, was documented as early as 1848 in reference to German revolutionary poet, Georg Herwegh.-Crimean War:...
of World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
.
His father was the chief clerk of Gurney's Bank in Norwich and Mottram had an idyllic childhood growing up in 'Bank House' - a magnificent George II
George II of Great Britain
George II was King of Great Britain and Ireland, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg and Archtreasurer and Prince-elector of the Holy Roman Empire from 11 June 1727 until his death.George was the last British monarch born outside Great Britain. He was born and brought up in Northern Germany...
mansion on Bank Plain - which was later Barclay's Bank and is now a youth centre. The Mottrams were non-conformist and worshipped at the Octagon Chapel, Norwich
Octagon Chapel, Norwich
The Octagon Chapel is a Unitarian Chapel located in Colegate in Norwich, Norfolk, England. It is home to a growing liberal religious community, welcoming people of all religious faiths and none. The congregation is a member of the General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches.The chapel...
in Colegate.
Mottram went from being a bank clerk in Norwich
Norwich
Norwich is a city in England. It is the regional administrative centre and county town of Norfolk. During the 11th century, Norwich was the largest city in England after London, and one of the most important places in the kingdom...
, before the war, to becoming mayor there in 1953. The Spanish Farm won the 1924 Hawthornden Prize
Hawthornden Prize
The Hawthornden Prize is a British literary award that was established in 1919 by Alice Warrender. Authors are awarded on the quality of their "imaginative literature" which can be written in either poetry or prose...
. He also wrote a biography of John Galsworthy
John Galsworthy
John Galsworthy OM was an English novelist and playwright. Notable works include The Forsyte Saga and its sequels, A Modern Comedy and End of the Chapter...
.
He was a defender of Mousehold Heath
Mousehold Heath
Mousehold Heath is an area of heathland and woodland which lies in north east Norwich, England and a designated Local Nature Reserve . It is now mostly covered by broad-leaf semi-natural woodland, although some areas of heath remain and are actively managed....
- a large open space in the heart of Norwich. On St. James' Hill, there is a sculpture which depicts the skyline of Norwich which is dedicated to him.
He is buried in the Rosary Cemetery, Norwich
Rosary Cemetery, Norwich
Rosary Cemetery, Norwich was the first ever non-denominational cemetery in the United Kingdom. The entrance to the Rosary Cemetery lies on Rosary Road in Norwich, Norfolk.It was established in 1819 by Thomas Drummond, a nonconformist minister...
. Mottram once said that 'I knew, when I was four years old, exactly where I could be buried.'
Works
- Repose and other verses (1907), as J. Marjoram
- New Poems (1909), as J. Marjoram
- The Spanish Farm (1924), a trilogy with Sixty-Four, Ninety-Four and The Crime at Vanderlynden's
- Sixty-Four, Ninety-Four (1925)
- The Crime at Vanderlynden's (1926)
- Our Mr. Dormer (1927), a trilogy with The Boroughmonger and Castle Island
- The Apple Disdained (1928)
- Ten Years Ago. Armistice and other memories (1928)
- The English Miss (1938)
- A History of Financial Speculation (1929)
- The Boroughmonger (1929)
- A Rich Man's Daughter (1930)
- Europa's Beast (1930)
- The New Providence (1930)
- Poems Old and New (1930)
- Three Men's War (1930), with John EastonJohn EastonJohn Easton was a political leader in the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, devoting decades to public service before eventually becoming Governor of the colony. Born in Hampshire, England, he sailed to New England with his widowed father and older brother, settling in Ipswich...
and Eric PartridgeEric PartridgeEric Honeywood Partridge was a New Zealand/British lexicographer of the English language, particularly of its slang. His writing career was interrupted only by his service in the Army Education Corps and the RAF correspondence department during World War II... - The Lost Christmas Presents (1931)
- Castle Island (1931)
- John Crome of Norwich (1931)
- The Headless Hound and other stories (1931)
- Dazzle (1932)
- At the Sign of The Lame Dog (1933)
- East Anglia (1933)
- Bumphrey's (1934)
- Flower Pot End (1935)
- Journey to the Western Front Twenty Years After (1936)
- The Westminster Bank 1836-1936 (1936)
- Portrait of an Unknown Victorian (1936)
- Old England (1937)
- Time to Be Going (1937)
- Autobiography with a Difference (1939)
- Miss Lavington (1939)
- You Can't Have It Back! (1939)
- Trader's Dream The Romance of the British East India Company (1939)
- Visit of the Princess - a Romance of the 1960s (1946)
- Hibbert Houses, A Record (1947)
- Norfolk (1948)
- The Glories of Norwich Cathedral (1948)
- Come to the Bower (1949)
- East Anglia, a new guide book (1951)
- The Broads (1952)
- The Part That Is Missing (1952)
- If Stones Could Speak (1953), social history of NorwichNorwichNorwich is a city in England. It is the regional administrative centre and county town of Norfolk. During the 11th century, Norwich was the largest city in England after London, and one of the most important places in the kingdom...
- John Galsworthy (1953), biography
- The Window Seat or Life Observed (1954)
- For Some We Loved (1956), biography of John GalsworthyJohn GalsworthyJohn Galsworthy OM was an English novelist and playwright. Notable works include The Forsyte Saga and its sequels, A Modern Comedy and End of the Chapter...
and his wife - Another Window Seat (1957)
- Buxton the Liberator (1958), biography of Thomas F. Buxton the abolitionist
- Vanities and Verities (1958)
- Time's Increase (1961)
- To Hell with Crabb Robinson (1962)
- Behind the Shutters (1968)
- 12 Poems (1968)