William Hale White
Encyclopedia
William Hale White known by his pseudonym Mark Rutherford, was a British
writer and civil servant.
and educated at Bedford Modern School
. His father, William White, a member of the Nonconformist community of the Bunyan Meeting, moved the family to London
, where he was well known as a doorkeeper of the House of Commons
; he wrote sketches of parliamentary life for the Illustrated Times, his son collected the writings and later released them as The Inner Life of the House of Commons in 1897. White was educated for the Congregational ministry, but the development of his views prevented his taking up that career, and he became a clerk in the Admiralty
. He had already served an apprenticeship to journalism before he made his name with three autobiographical novels, supposedly edited by one Reuben Shapcott: The Autobiography of Mark Rutherford (1881), Mark Rutherford's Deliverance (1885), and The Revolution in Tanner's Lane (1887). Under his own name he translated Spinoza's Ethic (1883). Later books are Miriam's Schooling, and other Papers (1890), Catherine Furze (2 vols., 1893), Clara Hopgood (1896), Pages from a Journal, with other Papers (1900), and John Bunyan
(1905). Though for a long time little appreciated by the public, his novels, particularly the earlier ones, share a power and style which must always give his works a place of their own in the literary history of their time. George Orwell
described Mark Rutherford's Deliverance as 'one of the best novels written in English'. Bedford now has a school named after him (see Mark Rutherford Upper School
).
, was a distinguished doctor (sketch). His second son, Jack, married Agnes Hughes, one of Arthur Hughes'
daughters.
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...
writer and civil servant.
Life and career
White was born in BedfordBedford
Bedford is the county town of Bedfordshire, in the East of England. It is a large town and the administrative centre for the wider Borough of Bedford. According to the former Bedfordshire County Council's estimates, the town had a population of 79,190 in mid 2005, with 19,720 in the adjacent town...
and educated at Bedford Modern School
Bedford Modern School
Bedford Modern School is a British co-educational independent school in the Harpur area of Bedford, in the county of Bedfordshire, in England.Bedford Modern comprises a junior school and a senior school...
. His father, William White, a member of the Nonconformist community of the Bunyan Meeting, moved the family to London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, where he was well known as a doorkeeper of the House of Commons
British House of Commons
The House of Commons is the lower house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, which also comprises the Sovereign and the House of Lords . Both Commons and Lords meet in the Palace of Westminster. The Commons is a democratically elected body, consisting of 650 members , who are known as Members...
; he wrote sketches of parliamentary life for the Illustrated Times, his son collected the writings and later released them as The Inner Life of the House of Commons in 1897. White was educated for the Congregational ministry, but the development of his views prevented his taking up that career, and he became a clerk in the Admiralty
Admiralty
The Admiralty was formerly the authority in the Kingdom of England, and later in the United Kingdom, responsible for the command of the Royal Navy...
. He had already served an apprenticeship to journalism before he made his name with three autobiographical novels, supposedly edited by one Reuben Shapcott: The Autobiography of Mark Rutherford (1881), Mark Rutherford's Deliverance (1885), and The Revolution in Tanner's Lane (1887). Under his own name he translated Spinoza's Ethic (1883). Later books are Miriam's Schooling, and other Papers (1890), Catherine Furze (2 vols., 1893), Clara Hopgood (1896), Pages from a Journal, with other Papers (1900), and John Bunyan
John Bunyan
John Bunyan was an English Christian writer and preacher, famous for writing The Pilgrim's Progress. Though he was a Reformed Baptist, in the Church of England he is remembered with a Lesser Festival on 30 August, and on the liturgical calendar of the Episcopal Church on 29 August.-Life:In 1628,...
(1905). Though for a long time little appreciated by the public, his novels, particularly the earlier ones, share a power and style which must always give his works a place of their own in the literary history of their time. George Orwell
George Orwell
Eric Arthur Blair , better known by his pen name George Orwell, was an English author and journalist...
described Mark Rutherford's Deliverance as 'one of the best novels written in English'. Bedford now has a school named after him (see Mark Rutherford Upper School
Mark Rutherford Upper School
Mark Rutherford Upper School is a coeducational upper school located in the Putnoe area of Bedford, Bedfordshire, England. The school is named in honour of the writer William Hale White who used 'Mark Rutherford' as a pseudonym....
).
Family
His eldest son, Sir William Hale-WhiteWilliam Hale-White
Sir William Hale-White , was a distinguished British physician and medical biographer. He was the son of writer Mark Rutherford. During the First World War he was a colonel in the RAMC and was created KBE in 1919...
, was a distinguished doctor (sketch). His second son, Jack, married Agnes Hughes, one of Arthur Hughes'
Arthur Hughes (artist)
Arthur Hughes , was an English painter and illustrator associated with the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood. He is the uncle of the English painter Edward Robert Hughes.-Biography:Hughes was born in London...
daughters.
Novels
- The Autobiography of Mark Rutherford: Dissenting Minister Trubner and Co., London, 1881
- Mark Rutherford's Deliverance Trubner and Co., London, 1885
- The Revolution in Tanner's Lane Trubner and Co., London, 1887
- Miriam's Schooling Kegan Paul, Trench, Trubner and Co., London, 1890
- Catharine Furze T. Fisher Unwin, London, 1893
- Clara Hopgood T. Fisher Unwin, London, 1896