Malcolm Saville
Malcolm Saville was an English author born on February 21, 1901, in Hastings, Sussex. He grew up in a literary environment, influenced by his bookseller father. After leaving school in 1918, Saville began a career in publishing, taking on various roles that included promotional management and editing at notable companies such as Amalgamated Press and Kemsley Newspapers. His writing career gained momentum during World War II when he began crafting stories for his children, leading to the creation of his first novel, *Mystery at Witchend*, which launched the popular *Lone Pine* series. This series features the adventures of young protagonists who form the Lone Pine Club, solving mysteries primarily set in Shropshire.
Overall, Saville authored around sixty works, including novels, nonfiction, and short stories, with themes often revolving around adventure, nature, and geography. Although his writing received mixed reviews—some critics pointed out issues with plot and character development—his vivid descriptions of settings and engaging narratives resonated well with readers. Saville's influence extended beyond literature; his work inspired adaptations for radio and film. Following his death on June 30, 1982, a dedicated fan base established the Malcolm Saville Society in 1994, celebrating his legacy and the enchanting locations from his stories.
On this Page
Subject Terms
Malcolm Saville
Writer
- Born: February 21, 1901
- Birthplace: Hastings, Sussex, England
- Died: June 30, 1982
- Place of death: Hastings, Sussex, England
Biography
Leonard Malcolm Saville, who wrote under the name Malcolm Saville, was born on February 21, 1901, at Hastings in Sussex, England. His parents were bookseller Ernest Vivian Saville and Fanny Ethel Hayes Saville. He attended the Richmond Hill School and grew up valuing books and authors. Saville quit his studies in 1918 and accepted employment filling bookstores’ orders for Oxford University Press. By 1920, Saville helped prepare publicity for Cassell & Company, a London-based publishing house, and then worked as a promotional manager for Amalgamated Press beginning in 1922.
In 1926, Saville married Dorothy May McCoy; they had two daughters and two sons. Beginning in 1936, Saville managed sales promotions for George Newnes Co., another London-based publisher, for approximately four years. Saville lived in Hertfordshire during the 1930’s and stayed near London, where he worked when his children and wife were evacuated to rural Shropshire during World War II. Saville had visited that area in 1936, becoming familiar with sites which he later appropriated for his novels.
After World War II, Saville and his family lived at Westend Farmhouse in Wheathampstead, where he wrote several books. He served as associate editor of the periodical My Garden until 1952, when he started writing for Kemsley Newspapers in London. By 1955, Saville became editor of the Sunny Stories series, a position he held for eleven years. He also edited books for two publishing houses, George Newnes Co. and C. Arthur Pearson Ltd, from 1957 to 1966. During the 1950’s, Saville relocated to Guildford before residing in several Sussex homes.
After a career promoting and selling books, Saville began writing stories for his children during World War II. He featured their temporary wartime home in his first novel, Mystery at Witchend, mailing chapters as he completed them. That book initiated the twenty-volume Lone Pine series. His young characters belonged to the Lone Pine Club, solving mysteries and participating in adventures primarily located around Shropshire. Early books depicted war-related plots, involving spies and crimes damaging home front morale. Saville urged readers to visit his stories’ settings in England and other European countries.
Saville wrote approximately sixty novels, nonfiction books, articles, and short stories, most having adventure themes but some emphasizing religion and providing geographical and nature guides. His popular series included the Marston Baines, Jillies, Buckinghams, and Nettleford books. Saville spoke at book festivals in Shropshire. Continuing to write into his eighties, Saville died on June 30, 1982, at St Helen’s Hospital in Hastings.
Critics disliked Saville’s redundant narratives within his novels, obvious plot resolution, and stereotyped characterizations of villains; however, they commended his description and development of settings. Although critics noted the implausibility of Saville’s young heroes constantly encountering numerous mysteries and conflicts, his audience savored the adventures. The British Broadcasting Corporation’s Children’s Hour program adapted Saville’s debut novel, airing it during October, 1943, and produced other programs inspired by his novels. In addition, two of Saville’s novels were adapted as films. Readers purchased more than one million Lone Pine books, including several titles published in the United States. Fans established the Malcolm Saville Society in 1994, visiting his homes and the settings depicted in his books.