Happy Birthday, Winston!

« GI and GL–again! (2nd time lucky after an earlier version was published by accident)

Happy Birthday, Winston!

June 30, 2012 by Robin Ellis

Winston as a Cornish gent, eagerly awaiting his debut as an extra in the second series of Poldark!

Today would have been Winston Graham’s 104th birthday!

He was born in 1908 in Manchester. His family moved to Perranporth in Cornwall in 1925 after his father died prematurely at 53.

There he married Jean Williamson–whom he’d first met when she was 13 (Demelza’s age when she first met Ross at the fair). He was just 18. They lived there for the next 25 years, bringing up their two children, Andrew and Rosamund.

Winston–a meticulous researcher as well as a great storyteller–steeped himself in Cornish history and customs. He wrote the first book of the saga–Ross Poldark--in 1945.

Eleven more books followed. The last in the saga– Bella Poldark–written when he was 92!

A month ago I checked out the Desert Island Discs archive ( a popular BBC radio series where guests choose eight recordings to comfort them after supposedly being shipwrecked on a desert island) . I remembered vaguely that Winston had been the subject some time around the screening of the series.

I found it and enjoyed listening to his choice and being reminded of his voice.

Last week when sitting with my back to his son Andrew–whose 70th birthday we had gone to Corfu to celebrate–I heard a voice say–“and what are you going to do this afternoon?”.

It was uncanny–the voice and the intonation were Winston’s!

Winston and Jean at our wedding in 1990.

I will always feel appreciative of Winston for writing such a wonderful tale that has meant so much in my own life.

Posted in other sides to this life, Poldark, Robin Ellis | Tagged Poldark, winston graham, Winston Graham's birthday | 36 Comments

36 Responses

on June 30, 2012 at 3:14 pm | Reply Jill

Happy Birthday, Winston!!!! A day of memories!
- on June 30, 2012 at 3:59 pm | Reply Robin Ellis
  
  Hi Jill!!
on June 30, 2012 at 3:19 pm | Reply Bookworm

What a great tribute to Winston, Robin.
Thanks,

Melanie
on June 30, 2012 at 3:21 pm | Reply Suzanne Polk

Thank you, Robin!
on June 30, 2012 at 3:32 pm | Reply Virginia Balascio

Thanks for sharing that story. Poldark was one of the great finds on Netflix nine months ago. We watch all the BBC shows. So glad we found it. We love it and are now buying Making Poldark that is available at Amazon. So glad I found the DVD and then your blog and the Diabetes book you wrote. My husband and I love reading all your stories.
v/de
on June 30, 2012 at 3:44 pm | Reply Toffeeapple

What a lovely memorial for him. I still recall the immense pleasure that I got from reading the books, quite a while before there was your television series. Mind you, I enjoyed that enormously too.
on June 30, 2012 at 3:44 pm | Reply Dianne P.

THAT was a neat interview, Robin; I’d never heard Winston Graham’s voice before. Interesting stories all around, too. Was surprised to hear J. Rodgers on the list–Winston was hip! 🙂 (Gene likes that song, too.) I liked the Beethoven piece, and Vivaldi’s “Four Seasons” is one of the few classical pieces we own, though my favorite movement is Spring.
So…do you think you can give us a list of your own? 😉
Cheers & hugs!
on June 30, 2012 at 3:50 pm | Reply shirley baziuk

The 40-minute post of Winston’s voice, reminiscences and musical choices was poignant and enjoyable — a rare treat. Happy 104th birthday, Winston.
on June 30, 2012 at 3:57 pm | Reply Dianne P.

Oh, found this interesting video on YouTube recently. I’m not a big fan of Rihanna, but someone did a nice job synching the clips…and the tall handsome dude in pouffy satin caught my eye!
- on June 30, 2012 at 4:07 pm | Reply Robin Ellis
  
  Thanks, Dianne–brings back memories! Did you notice the elder Warleggan as Walter Raleigh”?
  I’ll work on the 8 records–just in case!
  - on June 30, 2012 at 4:22 pm Dianne P.
    
    I THOUGHT that was him–tho I recognized his voice before his face!
  - on June 30, 2012 at 5:08 pm Dianne P.
    
    And the bugger pulled a dagger on you even then!!
on June 30, 2012 at 4:14 pm | Reply Joy Price

I discovered Winston Graham as an author in the 60’s after watching Alfred Hitchcock’s “Marnie” and then searching out the novel. I read several of his titles, including “Ross Poldark,” but didn’t read the whole series until the television series came out. I have this nagging memory that “Ross Poldark” had a different title originally, but can’t verify that on the Internet, so guess it’s just another of those false memories with which I keep entertaining myself these days!
- on June 30, 2012 at 5:15 pm | Reply Dianne P.
  
  I remember reading that in my copy, too, Joy. It was originally called–quite aptly, I think– “The Renegade” when Ballantine Books/Random House published it in the US in 1951.
on June 30, 2012 at 4:25 pm | Reply sheilah18

Yea, Robin! Loved the blog about Winston, and enjoyed listening to part of his reminiscing. But, what I loved the most is that the comments weren’t a tirade of opposing political intransigence. So much more like Vivaldi’s “Spring,” and not his, “Winter.” Enjoy YOUR “summer”.
Sheila
on June 30, 2012 at 4:39 pm | Reply Anni

Thank you Winston for the inspiration; for giving me Cornwall, and hours of pleasure with your books and TV adaptations. Thank you for bringing all the people together who share a love of your work.
Let’s raise a glass of Claret/Port or whatever tipple takes your fancy, and give a toast to Winston Graham…..Without this great man, none of us would have met and been friends.
on June 30, 2012 at 4:59 pm | Reply Judith Brodhead

Wonderful! What a lot of pleasure (and employment!) his books and the television series created for so many.
on June 30, 2012 at 5:23 pm | Reply Lesley Williams

Wonderful, wonderful author, sadly missed!
on June 30, 2012 at 7:29 pm | Reply Hedvika Krone

@Joy. “Renegate” was the original title for “Ross Poldark”
on June 30, 2012 at 7:40 pm | Reply Hedvika Krone

@Joy.” The renegade” / internet
on June 30, 2012 at 8:58 pm | Reply ElaineL NYC

DianneP, I remember just loving that Elizabeth R series, but haven’t seen it since it originally aired. The video with music is a hoot. Robin, you did a very nice Elizabethan skip in the dancing scene. 🙂
- on June 30, 2012 at 11:54 pm | Reply Dianne P.
  
  You can get it on Amazon for around $43, or watch it in parts on YouTube.
on June 30, 2012 at 8:59 pm | Reply elainesl

PS–your wedding photo is lovely–Meredith looked like a dream.
on June 30, 2012 at 11:29 pm | Reply Maria Encarnacion

Beautiful memorial for this great author, Mr Ellis. I am a great fan of english literature as I told you once. His good writing and the superb performance made Poldark one of the best series I know.
on July 1, 2012 at 1:13 am | Reply Odette Stimburys

Dear Robin, you were very fortunate to have known late Winston Graham. MANY HAPPY RETURNS OF THE DAY to his memory. I imagine him as having been a very kind, gentle and sensitive human being. He had wisdom, care and compassion for the underdog. These sentiments transpire throughout his 12 “Poldark” Volumes. Without realising it he also created the character of “Ross Poldark” for you alone…
on July 1, 2012 at 2:20 am | Reply David Ermutlu

I join the ranks of those who have never heard Winston’s voice until today. It has such a melodic tone.
on July 1, 2012 at 5:25 am | Reply gaetanadipalermo

When someone is remembered by so many people it means that he’s still alive
on July 1, 2012 at 12:26 pm | Reply Caroline P.

Remember me going to the library to read Winston Graham’s books!
Latelely I bought the first to parts to read it again and now I dream away. It is still worth to read his work! Thanks!
on July 1, 2012 at 10:17 pm | Reply Judy

I LOVE the picture! Two nice couples. Meredith looks lovely! Love the gorgeous hat! Thank you for sharing this with us.

“gaetanadipalermo” I love your post. It is so true. Winston Graham left us with a beautiful gift. Robin Ellis was born to play Ross Poldark. One of My favourite series ever. Thank you Mr. Graham for writing this wonderful story and Robin Ellis for giving it life!

Yes, I am one of the many people who had to come to Cornwall becaue of this series! I loved every minute of my visit!
I thought at any moment Ross, Demelza and JUDD were going to pop out of the scenery!
on July 3, 2012 at 4:56 am | Reply Chantal

Dear Robin, He looked a nice man.A other favorite writer of mine is Roald Dahl also a brilliant writer and a very down to earth man R.I.P.
I always liked writers, they most of the time also good talkers.One of my favorite sayings is the pen is mightier than the sword(Shakespeare).
There would be no films, tv series without writers.Hughs, Chantal.
on July 3, 2012 at 3:02 pm | Reply demelza75

Happy Birthday Mr. Graham: God bless your soul!
Thank you Robin: you touched me!!
on July 4, 2012 at 3:15 pm | Reply Jayne Collins

Dear Robin,

I love getting your posts, they are humourous, colourful, informative (recipes) and the pleasure that the books and the Poldark series have brought me has been wonderful, great man remembered and thank you again for bring sunshine to our sodden isle.

best wishes

Jayne
on July 10, 2012 at 1:59 pm | Reply Christian D Taylor

Lovely words written about Winston Graham. After he came for a meal at my parents house with two other friends he kindly wrote a note of thanks which contained the beautiful phrase ‘ I found love in a valley’- at that time we lived in Bissoe Valley. A true gentleman in every sense and what a memorable evening it was. My mother still has his note kept safely away.

Thanks Robin.

All the best

Christian
on July 19, 2012 at 6:15 am | Reply Bede Clifford

Hi

Poldark was the best bbc series I have ever seen. Great story. I have read the books twice and seen the series four times. Still enjoy it. Thanks to Winston. You played your part so well.

best wishes
Bede
on October 18, 2014 at 7:52 pm | Reply Tina

An amazing post. Just read it again. I have read every book of Winston Graham’s that I could find. Definitely my favourite author. Thank you for this wonderful tribute

By the way, did Winston Graham actually appear as an extra in an episode of Poldark? I’ve not spotted him so far while watching the second series.

I have a copy of an interview he did for the Sunday Times in 1977 where he appears in a cartoon picture with Winston’s head and a Ross Poldark body wearing one of your costumes from the first series. Cut out and kept preciously all these years.

Thank you so much for this

Tina
- on October 19, 2014 at 7:59 am | Reply Robin Ellis
  
  He did, Tina, but I have forgotten which episode.