Richard Gordon (English author)

Richard Gordon (English author)

Richard Gordon (born Gordon Stanley Ostlere; 15 September 1921 – 11 August 2017) was an English author and doctor. He is best known for his series of comic novels on a medical theme, particularly the Doctor in the House series, which were adapted into films and a television series.

Early Life and Education

Richard Gordon was born in Paddington, London. He was educated at St Bartholomew's Hospital Medical College, where he qualified as a doctor in 1944. He served in the Royal Navy during World War II.

Medical Career

After the war, Gordon worked as an anaesthetist at St Bartholomew's Hospital and later as a ship's surgeon. His experiences in the medical field provided rich material for his writing.

Writing Career

Gordon began writing in the 1950s. His first novel, Doctor in the House, was published in 1952. The book was a humorous account of medical students and their training. It was followed by several sequels, including Doctor at Sea (1953), Doctor at Large (1955), and Doctor in Clover (1960). These novels were highly successful and were adapted into a series of films and a popular television series.

In addition to the Doctor series, Gordon wrote several other novels, non-fiction books, and biographies. His works often drew on his medical background and were known for their wit and humor.

Personal Life

Richard Gordon was married to Muriel and had four children. He lived in Norfolk in his later years. He passed away on 11 August 2017 at the age of 95.

Legacy

Gordon's Doctor series remains popular for its humorous take on the medical profession. His books have been translated into several languages and continue to be enjoyed by readers around the world.

Selected Bibliography

• Doctor in the House (1952)
• Doctor at Sea (1953)
• Doctor at Large (1955)
• Doctor in Clover (1960)
• Doctor on the Boil (1970)
• Doctor on the Brain (1972)

Adaptations

The Doctor series was adapted into several films and a television series. The first film, Doctor in the House, was released in 1954 and starred Dirk Bogarde as Simon Sparrow. The television series, which aired from 1969 to 1977, was also highly popular.

See Also

• Doctor in the House (novel)
• Doctor in the House (film)
• Doctor in the House (TV series)
• St Bartholomew's Hospital