Plantagenet Somerset Fry
Encyclopedia
Plantagenet Somerset Fry, born Peter George Robin Fry (3 January 1931 – 10 September 1996), was a British
historian
and author
of more than 50 books. In his youth he added Somerset to his surname by deed poll
, and Plantagenet was a nickname which he adopted at university, relating to his advocacy of Richard III
.
in West Sussex, and St. Thomas's Hospital Medical School
, London, but did not do well at either institution. After failing his exams, he had to leave St. Thomas's after a year. From this point on his father refused to subsidise him any more, so Fry found employment as a librarian and projectionist with the National Film Board of Canada. In 1952 he inherited some money from his grandmother, left his job and married, against his parents' wishes, Audrey Russell whom he had known at medical school. After spending all his money, and failing another degree, Fry became a schoolteacher in Weybridge, Surrey
.
game show
Double Your Money
, and won the jackpot of £512, making him somewhat of a celebrity, and had his first book, Mysteries of History, published, soon followed by a biography of Elizabeth I
. This was the start of a successful writing career, and over the years he wrote numerous popular books about history for adults and for children, as well as books about antiques. He also started an organisation called the Council for Independent Archaeology.
Fry was the victim of several car crashes, one of which made him into a wheelchair user for many years.
He did not use a literary agent, as he was often worried about his financial affairs.
In 1996, Fry was told he was dying of bowel cancer, but he refused treatment, and suffocated himself with a plastic bag at his home in Wattisfield, Suffolk
at the age of 65, after writing a letter explaining his actions to the coroner.
British people
The British are citizens of the United Kingdom, of the Isle of Man, any of the Channel Islands, or of any of the British overseas territories, and their descendants...
historian
Historian
A historian is a person who studies and writes about the past and is regarded as an authority on it. Historians are concerned with the continuous, methodical narrative and research of past events as relating to the human race; as well as the study of all history in time. If the individual is...
and author
Author
An author is broadly defined as "the person who originates or gives existence to anything" and that authorship determines responsibility for what is created. Narrowly defined, an author is the originator of any written work.-Legal significance:...
of more than 50 books. In his youth he added Somerset to his surname by deed poll
Deed poll
A deed poll is a legal document binding only to a single person or several persons acting jointly to express an active intention...
, and Plantagenet was a nickname which he adopted at university, relating to his advocacy of Richard III
Richard III of England
Richard III was King of England for two years, from 1483 until his death in 1485 during the Battle of Bosworth Field. He was the last king of the House of York and the last of the Plantagenet dynasty...
.
Early life
Peter George Robin Fry was born in 1931, and was the third child and only son of a distinguished naval officer and pianist. He was educated at Lancing CollegeLancing College
Lancing College is a co-educational English independent school in the British public school tradition, founded in 1848 by Nathaniel Woodard. Woodard's aim was to provide education "based on sound principle and sound knowledge, firmly grounded in the Christian faith." Lancing was the first of a...
in West Sussex, and St. Thomas's Hospital Medical School
St Thomas' Hospital
St Thomas' Hospital is a large NHS hospital in London, England. It is administratively a part of Guy's & St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust. It has provided health care freely or under charitable auspices since the 12th century and was originally located in Southwark.St Thomas' Hospital is accessible...
, London, but did not do well at either institution. After failing his exams, he had to leave St. Thomas's after a year. From this point on his father refused to subsidise him any more, so Fry found employment as a librarian and projectionist with the National Film Board of Canada. In 1952 he inherited some money from his grandmother, left his job and married, against his parents' wishes, Audrey Russell whom he had known at medical school. After spending all his money, and failing another degree, Fry became a schoolteacher in Weybridge, Surrey
Weybridge
Weybridge is a town in the Elmbridge district of Surrey in South East England. It is bounded to the north by the River Thames at the mouth of the River Wey, from which it gets its name...
.
Success
In 1954 Fry went to Oxford University to study law and history. Needing more money, he twice took part in the televisionTelevision
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
game show
Game show
A game show is a type of radio or television program in which members of the public, television personalities or celebrities, sometimes as part of a team, play a game which involves answering questions or solving puzzles usually for money and/or prizes...
Double Your Money
Double Your Money
Double Your Money was a British quiz show hosted by Hughie Green. Originally broadcast on Radio Luxembourg, it transferred to ITV in 1955, a few days after the commercial channel began broadcasting. It was produced by Associated-Rediffusion until 1964 and then by Rediffusion London, and it finished...
, and won the jackpot of £512, making him somewhat of a celebrity, and had his first book, Mysteries of History, published, soon followed by a biography of Elizabeth I
Elizabeth I of England
Elizabeth I was queen regnant of England and Ireland from 17 November 1558 until her death. Sometimes called The Virgin Queen, Gloriana, or Good Queen Bess, Elizabeth was the fifth and last monarch of the Tudor dynasty...
. This was the start of a successful writing career, and over the years he wrote numerous popular books about history for adults and for children, as well as books about antiques. He also started an organisation called the Council for Independent Archaeology.
Personal life
Although Fry's professional life was successful, his personal life was unhappy. His first marriage to Audrey Russell was dissolved in 1957, and the following year he married Daphne York. Unfortunately she was soon diagnosed with an incurable form of kidney cancer, although Fry never let her know it. After her death in 1961, he set up a medical research trust in her memory. He then married Leri Butler, a divorcée 24 years his senior. The marriage ended in divorce in 1973, and the following year he married Fiona Whitcombe, who survived him.Fry was the victim of several car crashes, one of which made him into a wheelchair user for many years.
He did not use a literary agent, as he was often worried about his financial affairs.
In 1996, Fry was told he was dying of bowel cancer, but he refused treatment, and suffocated himself with a plastic bag at his home in Wattisfield, Suffolk
Suffolk
Suffolk is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in East Anglia, England. It has borders with Norfolk to the north, Cambridgeshire to the west and Essex to the south. The North Sea lies to the east...
at the age of 65, after writing a letter explaining his actions to the coroner.
Selected works
- Kings and Queens of England and Scotland
- Castles: England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland
- History of the World
- 1000 Great Lives
- The Zebra Book of Famous Women