A. S. M. Hutchinson
Arthur Stuart Menteth Hutchinson was a British author born into a military family, with his early life shaped by the experiences of garrison life in India. Although there were initial expectations for him to pursue a military career like his father, his health issues redirected him to England, where he briefly studied medicine. However, Hutchinson's passion for writing ultimately led him to abandon his medical studies. He began his literary career in 1908 with the publication of his first novel, *Once Aboard the Lugger*. By 1912, he had taken on the role of editor for the *Daily Graphic*, which coincided with the release of additional novels. His military service during World War I, first with the Royal Engineers and then as part of the British Army of Occupation, interrupted his writing, but upon his return, he achieved significant acclaim with his 1920 work, *If Winter Comes*. Known for his meticulous writing process, Hutchinson published approximately one book every two and a half years until 1942, enjoying popularity both in the UK and the United States.
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A. S. M. Hutchinson
English novelist
- Born: June 2, 1879
- Birthplace: Goralpur, India
- Died: March 14, 1971
- Place of death: Crowborough, East Sussex, England
Biography
Arthur Stuart Menteth Hutchinson, the son of the distinguished soldier General H. D. Hutchinson, was born during his father’s tour of duty in India, and he grew up in an environment of garrison life. It was expected that he would follow his father’s profession, but when his poor health forced him to choose otherwise, he was sent back to England to study medicine.
His tenure at medical school lasted but three years, his determination to become a writer being stronger than his desire to work for a medical degree, and in 1908 his career as an author was launched with the publication of his first novel, Once Aboard the Lugger. In 1912, Hutchinson became editor of the Daily Graphic, a position he held for four years, during which time two more of his novels appeared. His progress as editor and writer was suspended temporarily in 1916 when he finally realized his ambition to be a soldier; he served in World War I first with the Royal Engineers and later with the British Army of Occupation. Returning to his literary tasks after the war, he produced his most successful and most widely read work, If Winter Comes, in 1920. A slow and meticulous writer, he wrote, on average, one book every two and a half years from that time until 1942. Following the success of If Winter Comes, he enjoyed a fair amount of popularity, and his works were published regularly in the United States as well as in England.
Bibliography
Book Review Digest. New York: H. W. Wilson, 1920. Offers reviews of If Winter Comes.
Hutchinson, A. S. M. Bring Back the Days. London: Michael Joseph, 1958.
Hutchinson, A. S. M. A Year That the Locust . . . . London: I. Nicholson & Watson, 1935. The best sources on Hutchinson’s life are his two autobiographies.
Shelley, Henry C. Majorca. London: Methuen, 1926. Hutchinson provided the introduction for his friend’s travel book.