Trivia

English Apocryphal scholar and academic. Occasional writer of ghost stories, often on historical themes.

Was played by Christopher Lee in four BBC Christmas TV specials, consisting of James reading a ghost story.

The story "Casting of the Runes," was adapted into the film "Night of the Demon." It remains the only successful adaptation on film.

The first collection of the writer's Ghost stories was published during his lifetime, to generally positive reviews.

Numerous friends of M. R James would lose their lives during the first world war. His later stories reflected this overwhelming sense of loss.

Whilst stricken with cancer, the writer declined the chance to have a surgical operation to remove the tumor. Soon after, the tumor became malignant.

His grandfather (on his mother's side) was Adm. Horton, a British naval officer who fought against Napoleon in the Napoleonic Wars.

He was Provost of King's College from 1905-18.

He was Provost of Eton from 1918 until his death in 1936.

From an early age, the writer displayed a natural gift for being a storyteller.

The medium of television has been the most successful for the writer's stories, producing numerous productions since the 1960s.

In 1918, James returned to Eton college for a brief reunion. He was said to have enjoyed the experience and admitted that his years at Eton were the happiest of his life.

Rumours have persisted with regards to the writer's sexual orientation, his having had passionate friendships with various men.