John Buchan's name is known across the world for The Thirty-Nine Steps. In the past hundred years the classic thriller has never been out of print and has inspired numerous adaptations for film, television, radio and stage, beginning with the celebrated version by Alfred Hitchcock.
Yet there was vastly more to 'JB'. He wrote more than a hundred books and a thousand articles for newspapers and magazines. He was a scholar, antiquarian, barrister, literary critic, war correspondent, director of wartime propaganda, member of parliament and imperial proconsul – given a state funeral when he died, a deeply admired and loved Governor-General of Canada.
With perception, style, wit and unprecedented access to family documents, papers and photographs, many of which have never been published, join John Buchan’s granddaughter, Ursula, as she vividly brings to life the remarkable man who created the modern thriller.
Running time: 60 minutes
Yet there was vastly more to 'JB'. He wrote more than a hundred books and a thousand articles for newspapers and magazines. He was a scholar, antiquarian, barrister, literary critic, war correspondent, director of wartime propaganda, member of parliament and imperial proconsul – given a state funeral when he died, a deeply admired and loved Governor-General of Canada.
With perception, style, wit and unprecedented access to family documents, papers and photographs, many of which have never been published, join John Buchan’s granddaughter, Ursula, as she vividly brings to life the remarkable man who created the modern thriller.
Running time: 60 minutes