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At the Circulating Library

A Database of Victorian Fiction, 1837–1901

A Database of Victorian Fiction, 1837–1901

Author: James Dennis Hird

Author: James Dennis Hird (1850–1920)

Alternate Name(s): Lord Bottsford (pseudonym); Havergall Bates (pseudonym)

Biography: Church of England clergyman, temperance advocate, and educator. His often unorthodox political and religious views led to several minor scandals. His membership in the Social Democratic Federation forced his resignation from the Church of England Temperance Society. His publication of the novel A Christian with Two Wives (1896) depicting an Englishman living openly in polygamy led to his expulsion from his living at Eastnor and his renounciation of the priesthood. From 1899 to 1909, he was principal of Ruskin College, Oxford—the end coming in dismissal due to his advocation of socialism. Afterwards he was the warden of Central Labour College. Amongst many works, he wrote four novels including the utopian Toddle Island (1894) under the pseudonym "Lord Bottsford" and The Believing Bishop (1901) under the pseudonym "Havergall Bates."

Author Tags:

References: The Encyclopedia of Science Fiction; Saturday Review (19 June 1897)

Fiction Titles:

  1. Toddle Island: Being the Diary of Lord Bottsford.  1 vol.  London: Bentley, 1894.
  2. A Christian with Two Wives.  1 vol.  London: Clement Wilson, 1896.
  3. In Search of a Religion.  1 vol.  London: Clement Wilson, 1897.
  4. The Believing Bishop.  1 vol.  London: George Allen, 1901.