Collection: Stanley Middleton

Middleton was born in Bulwell, Nottinghamshire, in 1919 and educated at High Pavement School, Stanley Road, Nottingham, and later at University College Nottingham.

Middleton started writing while at university and in 1958 published A Short Answer. Alongside his work as an author, he taught English at High Pavement Grammar School for many years. In 1974, his novel Holiday won the Booker Prize. In 2008, Her Three Wise Men was published, his 44th novel and the last to be published during his lifetime.

Middleton was an accomplished organist, playing regularly at St Mark's Methodist Church on Ravensworth Road in Bulwell and stepping in to cover others, often at Mansfield Road Baptist Church in Nottingham. He was also a fine watercolourist and contributed his own artwork to the covers of the 1994 novel Catalysts and the festschrift Stanley Middleton At Eighty.

In 2006, a reporter for The Sunday Times sent the first chapters of Holiday to a number of publishers and literary agents as a journalistic stunt. Almost all rejected it.

The actor Peter Bowles was taught by Middleton while a pupil at High Pavement. In 1980 when Bowles was the subject of the popular TV programme This Is Your Life, Middleton appeared as a guest on the programme.

Middleton was married to Margaret Welch from 1951 until his death; the couple had two daughters, Penny and Sarah. Towards the end of his life, he suffered from cancer, and died in a nursing home on 25 July 2009, one week before his 90th birthday.

It has been revealed that Middleton refused an OBE in 1979. This came to light following a freedom of information request by the BBC. He did not feel that he should be honoured simply for doing what he regarded as his job.

No products found
Use fewer filters or remove all

  • Goldsboro Books 2024 Advent Calendar: DAY TEN

    Goldsboro Books 2024 Advent Calendar: DAY TEN

    Goldsboro Books

    Use the code CHEER25 to get 25% off Nobody's Hero by M. W. Craven today!

    Goldsboro Books

    Goldsboro Books 2024 Advent Calendar: DAY TEN

    Use the code CHEER25 to get 25% off Nobody's Hero by M. W. Craven today!

  • Goldsboro Books 2024 Advent Calendar

    Goldsboro Books 2024 Advent Calendar

    Rebecca McDonnell

    The festive season is here, and we're spreading the cheer with our special Goldsboro Advent Calendar! Starting from 2nd December 2024, each day will bring a brand-new offering, revealed exclusively on...

    Rebecca McDonnell

    Goldsboro Books 2024 Advent Calendar

    The festive season is here, and we're spreading the cheer with our special Goldsboro Advent Calendar! Starting from 2nd December 2024, each day will bring a brand-new offering, revealed exclusively on...

  • Bookseller Recommendations: London Bookseller - Harveen

    Bookseller Recommendations: London Bookseller -...

    Goldsboro Books

    We're back with more bookseller recommendations! Today, London bookseller, Harveen, takes us through some of her favourite reads from this year!  ---------------- Lord of the Empty Isles by Jules Arbeaux...

    Goldsboro Books

    Bookseller Recommendations: London Bookseller -...

    We're back with more bookseller recommendations! Today, London bookseller, Harveen, takes us through some of her favourite reads from this year!  ---------------- Lord of the Empty Isles by Jules Arbeaux...

  • Gift Ideas For Book Lovers: Best Books For Christmas 2024

    Gift Ideas For Book Lovers: Best Books For Chri...

    David Headley

    Get ready for the ultimate book lovers gift guide from the independent team at Goldsboro Books.  As the holiday season fast approaches, we know that finding the perfect gift can...

    David Headley

    Gift Ideas For Book Lovers: Best Books For Chri...

    Get ready for the ultimate book lovers gift guide from the independent team at Goldsboro Books.  As the holiday season fast approaches, we know that finding the perfect gift can...

1 of 4