Sir Arthur Quiller-Couch - 'Q'

Born in 1863 in Bodmin, Cornwall where he initially went to school. He obtained a classics degree at Trinity College, Oxford where he became a lecturer for a while before working as a journalist in London. In 1892 he moved to ‘The Haven’ in Fowey. His fascination with Fowey had begun in 1879 when he was only 16 years old, the association was to continue for the rest of his life, and it was there he met his future wife.

His literary career began in 1887, writing under the pseudonym `Q`, his father had died and his family were not very well off. His first novel ‘Dead Man’s Rock’ was a way of helping to support his family whilst still at Oxford. Throughout his life Q wrote many novels and short stories, his most famous novel locally was his second ‘The Astonishing History of Troy Town’. Published in 1888 it is a farce set around the town of Fowey, which takes on the role of Troy Town, with the Post Office at the end of Fore Street becoming home to the Mayor of Troy.

Away from his own novels and short stories he established a reputation as a literary critic and editor publishing the anthology the ‘Oxford Book of English Verse, 1250 – 1900’ in 1910.

During his life in Fowey he became involved in the local community serving as the Commodore of the Royal Fowey Yacht Club from 1911 until his death, he also helped in the Restoration of the Charter of the Borough of Fowey and the revival of the Town Council. In addition he was a member of Cornwall County Council’s Education Committee and a Magistrate. Both his literary work and community involvement was acknowledged several times, he was Knighted in 1910 and appointed Professor of English Literature at Cambridge in 1912, he was also given the freedom of Fowey, Bodmin and Truro.

He died in 1944 leaving his last novel ‘Castle Dor’ incomplete, in 1962 this was finished by Daphne du Maurier who was a close friend of his daughter Foy.

His Fowey residence ‘The Haven ‘ is situated on the Esplanade by Whitehouse but is currently a private residence, there is a memorial to Q on the Hall Walk (about 10 minutes in when starting from Bodinnick) situated at the top of Penleath Point at the entrance to Pont Creek, it is visible from parts of Fowey.

His novels include:
1887 Dead Man’s Rock
1888 The Astonishing History Of Troy Town (writing as Q)
1897 St. Ives (with Robert Louis Stevenson)
1899 Ship of Stars
1902 The Westcotes
1905 Shining Ferry
1909 True Tilda
1910 Lady Good-for-Nothing: A Man's Portrait of a Woman
1911 Brother Copas
1912 Poison Island
1918 Foe-Farrell: A Romance
1927 The Roll Call of Honor
1928 The Mayor of Troy
1928 From a Cornish Window
1937 The Splendid Spur
1940 Castle Dore (with Daphne Du Maurier)
1999 Beauty and the Beast

He also published many collections and short stories and edited several anthologies.