10 min read
Reading time
1,809
Words
Published
63
Books
9
Awards
John Buchan wrote The 39 Steps in 1915 while bedridden with an ulcer. The novel never went out of print and inspired multiple film adaptations, including Alfred Hitchcock’s 1935 version. In 1935, Buchan became Governor General of Canada, a position he held until his death in 1940.
Names, aliases, and relatives of John Buchan — birth name, kin, and personal ties.
John Buchan by the numbers — life, work, and family.
John Buchan — early life, career, personal life, and legacy.
Born on 26 August 1875 in Perth, Scotland, John Buchan grew up in a Presbyterian lower middle class household. His mother, Helen Jane Masterson, raised him and his sister Anna Buchan. He attended Hutchesons’ Grammar School and Kirkcaldy High School before studying at the University of Glasgow and later at Brasenose College, Oxford, where he won the Newdigate Prize for poetry.
John Buchan began his career as a barrister, called to the bar in 1901, but soon turned to writing. His breakthrough came with The Thirty Nine Steps, published in 1915, which introduced the character Richard Hannay. The novel was a commercial success, leading to four more Hannay novels. During World War I, Buchan worked as a war correspondent for The Times after failing to enlist due to age and an ulcer.
Entering politics, Buchan served as a Member of Parliament for the Scottish Universities from 1927 to 1935. In 1935, he was granted the title Baron Tweedsmuir and appointed Governor General of Canada, a role he held until his death. He used this position to establish the Governor General’s Award for Canadian literature with the Canadian Authors Association.
John Buchan married Susan Charlotte Grosvenor on 15 July 1907. The couple had three children: Alice Buchan, Alastair Francis Buchan, and William Buchan. Buchan’s personality was described as serious, patriotic, and unassuming, quite unlike his fictional hero Richard Hannay. During the 1930s, he was placed on the Nazi list of Jewish sympathizers in England, to be arrested in the event of an invasion.
John Buchan’s most famous novel, The Thirty Nine Steps, has never been out of print and has influenced the thriller genre for over a century. Alfred Hitchcock’s 1935 film adaptation cemented its place in popular culture. As Governor General, Buchan founded the Governor General’s Award, still a major Canadian literary prize. He received posthumous recognition as a Person of National Historic Significance. Buchan endures as a master of suspense and a dedicated public servant.
Every award, honor, and recognition received by John Buchan — Grammys, hall-of-fame inductions, civic honors, lifetime achievements.
John Buchan's bibliography — every authored, edited, and co-written book, ranked by edition count.
A wall of memorable lines from John Buchan — lyrics, interviews, and off-the-cuff remarks captured over a lifetime.
To Live for a Time Close to Great Minds Is the Best Kind of Education.
Little-known facts about John Buchan — origins, oddities, and behind-the-scenes details from a public life.
The Nazi regime placed Buchan on a list of Jewish sympathizers in England during the 1930s, to be arrested in the event of a German invasion.
In 1935 Buchan was granted the title Baron Tweedsmuir and made Governor General of Canada, a position he held until his death.
He served as Governor General of Canada from 1935 to 1940.
His most famous novel, The Thirty Nine Steps, has never been out of print.
Buchan was educated at the University of Glasgow and Brasenose College, Oxford.
Not long before emigrating to Canada, Buchan attended a screening of Alfred Hitchcock’s The 39 Steps and was reasonably happy with the film.
He served as a Member of Parliament Conservative, for Scottish Universities from 1927 to 1935.
Buchan was the father of William Buchan, Alice Fairfax-Lucy, and Alastair Francis Buchan.
He came from a Presbyterian lower middle class background.
Although failing to enlist, Buchan found employment as a war correspondent for The Times during World War I.
He attempted to enlist in the army during World War I but was turned down due to his age and an ulcer.
Buchan’s personality was the antithesis of his character Richard Hannay; he was known as a serious, patriotic, and unassuming individual.
Following the commercial success of The Thirty Nine Steps, Buchan wrote four more novels featuring Richard Hannay.
He wrote The Thirty Nine Steps while bedridden with his ulcer.
He was honored in the BBC TV documentary John Buchan: Master of Suspense.
Buchan was a British lawyer, called to the bar in 1901, and novelist.
With the Canadian Authors Association, he established the Governor General’s Award for Canadian literature.
He was awarded a CH Companion of Honour in the 1932 King’s Honours List and a GCMG Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St. Michael and St. George in the 1935 Honours List for services to Literature.
His daughter Alice Caroline Helen Buchan married Brian Fairfax-Lucy and was the historian of Charlecote Park; their son Edmund Fairfax-Lucy was a painter and president of the Warwickshire Garden Trust.
Buchan slipped and injured himself in his bathtub, and died as a result.
Quick answers to the questions readers ask most about John Buchan.
Celebrities similar to John Buchan — same craft, ranked by reach.
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