W.C. Sellar (Author of 1066 and All That)

W.C. Sellar鈥檚 Followers (10)

W.C. Sellar

Born

in Golspie, Scotland, The United Kingdom

December 27, 1898

Died

June 11, 1951

Genre

Humor

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Walter Carruthers Sellar was a Scottish humourist who wrote for Punch. He is best known for the 1930 book 1066 and All That, a tongue-in-cheek guide to "all the history you can remember," which he wrote together with R. J. Yeatman.

Sellar was born at Golspie in Sutherland. He won a scholarship to Fettes College where he was Head Boy in 1917. After serving briefly in World War I as a Second Lieutenant in the King's Own Scottish Borderers, he took a degree in modern history at Oriel College, Oxford (which, as recorded in 1066 and All That, was awarded through an aegrotat in 1922). It was at Oriel that he met his contemporary Yeatman, and struck up a lifelong friendship. Although the two produced brilliant work together, they were entirely diff Walter Carruthers Sellar was a Scottish humourist who wrote for Punch. He is best known for the 1930 book 1066 and All That, a tongue-in-cheek guide to "all the history you can remember," which he wrote together with R. J. Yeatman.

Sellar was born at Golspie in Sutherland. He won a scholarship to Fettes College where he was Head Boy in 1917. After serving briefly in World War I as a Second Lieutenant in the King's Own Scottish Borderers, he took a degree in modern history at Oriel College, Oxford (which, as recorded in 1066 and All That, was awarded through an aegrotat in 1922). It was at Oriel that he met his contemporary Yeatman, and struck up a lifelong friendship. Although the two produced brilliant work together, they were entirely different personalities: Sellar was somewhat shy and introverted, although he enjoyed acting. He wrote melancholy poetry in addition to dry humour.

Sellar had begun to contribute to Punch in 1925 when three humorous short stories of his were published (he also contributed to other journals around this time). His collaboration with his old University colleague Yeatman, who was also writing for Punch, appears to have begun in 1928 during his period out of teaching. The first part of 1066 and All That appeared in Punch on September 10, 1930, taking its title from Robert Graves' autobiography Good-Bye to All That. Sellar's contribution is particularly noted in the comic exaggerations and name confusions; his knowledge of English literature also inspired the book's many literary allusions and pastiches.

After completing the book, Sellar worked with Yeatman again on a sequel, And now all this, a parody of general knowledge, including subjects as diverse as geography, knitting and topology, which is relatively little remembered. The 1933 book Horse Nonsense was credited to the two but is largely the work of Yeatman, while Garden Rubbish and other Country Bumps is also credited to the two but largely Sellar's work. It is noted for a more nuanced form of humour which depends on elaborate word-play. ...more

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W.C. Sellar鈥檚 books

Average rating: 3.91 · 3,468 ratings · 394 reviews · 13 distinct works 鈥� Similar authors

	1066 and All That: A Memorable History of England by W.C. Sellar, R.J. Yeatman, John Reynolds (Illustrator) 3.92 avg rating — 3,388 ratings — published 1930 — 106 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	And Now All This by W.C. Sellar, R.J. Yeatman 3.54 avg rating — 76 ratings — published 1932 — 30 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Horse Nonsense by W.C. Sellar, R.J. Yeatman 3.53 avg rating — 19 ratings — published 1933 — 9 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Garden Rubbish by W.C. Sellar, R.J. Yeatman liked it 3.00 avg rating — 20 ratings — published 1936 — 10 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	1066 and All That (and more): Box set of 1066 and All That, And Now All This, Garden Rubbish and Horse Nonsense by W.C. Sellar, R.J. Yeatman 4.63 avg rating — 8 ratings	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	1066 and All That/And Now All This: Both Books in 1 Volume by W.C. Sellar, R.J. Yeatman, John Reynolds (Illustrator) 3.71 avg rating — 7 ratings	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	And Now All This liked it 3.00 avg rating — 1 rating — published 2009	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	1066 and All That: English History Served Up A La Carte鈥擜 Unique and Hilarious Spoof by W.C. Sellar, R.J. Yeatman liked it 3.00 avg rating — 1 rating — published 1931	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Little Mermaid 0.00 avg rating — 0 ratings	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Little Mermaid 0.00 avg rating — 0 ratings	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

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Quotes by W.C. Sellar (?)

“The Scots (originally Irish, but by now Scotch) were at this time inhabiting Ireland, having driven the Irish (Picts) out of Scotland; while the Picts (originally Scots) were now Irish (living in brackets) and vice versa. It is essential to keep these distinctions clearly in mind (and verce visa).”
― W.C. Sellar, 1066 and All That: A Memorable History of England

tags: history, humor, irish, scottish

12 likes

“N.B. 鈥� Do not on any account attempt to write on both sides of the paper at once.”
― W.C. Sellar, 1066 and All That: A Memorable History of England

tags: exams

11 likes

“Gladstone .. spent his declining years trying to guess the answer to the Irish Question; unfortunately, whenever he was getting warm, the Irish secretly changed the Question, ...”
― W.C. Sellar, 1066 and All That: A Memorable History of England

tags: ireland, irish-question

10 likes

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W.C. Sellar鈥檚 Followers (10)

W.C. Sellar

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W.C. Sellar鈥檚 books