William John Locke, a British novelist, dramatist, and playwright, was born on 20 March 1863 in Cunningsbury St George, Christ Church, Demerara, British Guiana. He was the eldest son of John Locke, a bank manager, and Sarah Elizabeth Locke (née Johns). His family moved to Trinidad and Tobago in 1864, where Locke spent much of his early life.
Locke’s formal education began in England at the age of three. After returning to Trinidad, he attended Queen’s Royal College with his brother, eventually winning a scholarship to St John’s College, Cambridge. At Cambridge, he graduated with honours in Mathematics in 1884, despite his disdain for the subject.
After university, Locke became a schoolmaster, a career he didn’t enjoy. He held positions at the Oxford Military College and Clifton College, and from 1891 to 1897, he was a modern languages master at Trinity College, Glenalmond. During this period, he published a school edition of Alexandre Dumas père’s “Murat”. In 1890, Locke’s health deteriorated due to tuberculosis, affecting him for the rest of his life.
Locke’s literary career took off with his first novel, “At the Gate of Samaria”, published in 1894. However, it wasn’t until the publication of “The Morals of Marcus Ordeyne” (1905) and “The Beloved Vagabond” (1906) that he achieved significant success. His writings, a blend of charmingly written sentimental themes, were widely read in Britain and America. Many of his works were adapted into plays and motion pictures, contributing to his popularity.
On 19 May 1911, Locke married Aimee Maxwell Close in London. His literary accomplishments were frequently recognized; five of his books were among the best-sellers in the United States, and 24 of his works were adapted into films.
In the early twentieth century, Locke resided at Corner Hall, Hemel Hempstead, England. He continued writing prolifically, producing novels that captured the imaginations of readers and the attention of the film industry.
Locke passed away from cancer on 15 May 1930 in Paris, France. His legacy as a writer of short stories and novels endures, with many of his works remaining influential in both literature and film.
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1926: Perella, by William Locke
$65.00Perella is a classic novel written by William Locke and published by Dodd, Mead and Company in 1926. The book is a red hardcover volume with impressed lettering on the cover and black lettering on the spine. It has slight rubbing and wear on the cover and spine, mostly around the edges, and deckled fore edges. The book has been carefully mended at the title page, where the block was beginning to separate from the spine. Despite its age, the book is very clean, with no writing or markings.
The novel tells the story of Perella, a young woman who is forced to leave her home in Italy and move to England with her father. In England, Perella falls in love with a young man named Francis Sales, but their relationship is complicated by the fact that Francis is engaged to another woman. The book explores themes of love, loyalty, and the challenges of navigating cultural differences.
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1925: The Great Pandolfo, by William J. Locke
$60.00The Great Pandolfo is a novel by William J. Locke that tells the story of Pandolfo, a talented musician who is forced to leave his home country of Italy and seek refuge in England due to a scandal. In England, Pandolfo struggles to make a living as a musician and ends up working as a waiter in a restaurant. However, his talent is eventually discovered by a wealthy woman named Lady Millingham, who becomes his patron and helps him achieve success as a musician. The novel explores themes of love, friendship, and the pursuit of artistic excellence.