Timlin

WILLIAM TIMLIN (1892 - 1943)

Timlin was born in Ashington and studied art in Newcastle. The family emigrated to South Africa in 1912. There Timlin designed a number of major buildings in Kimberley. He wrote stories and composed music as well as painting. Curiously, Timlin once shot a snowy owl and was so remorseful that he began to incorporate a snowy owl into the monogram he placed on his works.

His reputation rests entirely upon one book The Ship that Sailed to Mars (1923). Despite its title, it is a pure fantasy, notable for its exotic descriptions and beautiful illustrations. It is regarded as a rare classic today. At the time of his death, Timlin was working on a book The Building of a Fairy City. This remains unpublished, though some of the art work has been issued as postcards.

Myers Literary Guide:	The North-East
WILLIAM TIMLIN (1892 - 1943) Timlin was born in Ashington and studied art in Newcastle. The family emigrated to South Africa in 1912. There Timlin designed a number of major buildings in Kimberley. He wrote stories and composed music as well as painting. Curiously, Timlin once shot a snowy owl and was so remorseful that he began to incorporate a snowy owl into the monogram he placed on his works. His reputation rests entirely upon one book The Ship that Sailed to Mars (1923). Despite its title, it is a pure fantasy, notable for its exotic descriptions and beautiful illustrations. It is regarded as a rare classic today. At the time of his death, Timlin was working on a book The Building of a Fairy City. This remains unpublished, though some of the art work has been issued as postcards.
Return to Index	On to next Author