Description: James Prior Kirk (1851-1922) was born at Mapperley Road, Nottingham. His parents were James and Sarah Jane Kirk, carrying on together a millinery business at Peck Lane, Hounds Gate and Pelham Street, afterwards drawn together at 20, South Parade. He attended a preparatory school kept by the Misses Goodall. Then for about 10 years he attended a school kept by Mr Porter. At eighteen he left this school and was articled to Mr Rothera. Solicitor. Instead of devoting himself to the study of law, he gave most of his time to studying languages and literature. He had a great love for Greek, and all his life the Greek classics were a delight and a consolation to him. At the end of three years for which he was articled, he was far from ready for his final examination. After a stormy scene with his father, it was decided that he should give up the study of law, which he disliked, and devote himself to literature. No success came; and when he was 27 he took a post in a boy's boarding school at Southport. After a single term here he taught for a short time at Merton, Sussex. While teaching, he was also studying for the final BA (London) examination. His studies were stopped by very serious trouble with his eyes. The trouble remained for the rest of his life (at intervals being very severe and painful and seriously affecting his general health). In 1880 his father died. For about a year he devoted himself to carrying on his father's business. Then the business was taken over by two of his sisters, though he continued to give them a certain amount of assistance until the business was given up in 1914. An uncle who carried on business at Uppingham as a butcher and grazier was in difficulties, and it was in endeavouring to help this uncle that he got his own affairs entangled, and suffered considerable money loss. In the hope of straightening things out he took over the grazing business, again losing money, but gaining that knowledge of farm and country life which is so valuable a part of his books. He stuck to the farming for five years and then was forced to give it up. In the meantime he had married his cousin, Lily Kirk (1886). He lived for a short time in Nottingham, then moved to Radcliffe on Trent. He lived there for three years, and then, in 1891 went to Bingham, where he spent the remainder of his life. Up to this time he had written a number of plays and stories without any success. All his important work, beginning with 'Renie', was written at Bingham. It was with 'Ripple and Flood' that he showed himself as a master among novelists. Then came 'Forest Folk', 'Hyssop', 'A Walking Gentleman' and 'Fortune Chance'. His subsequent work, as yet unpublished, was done under great difficulties, and in the midst of much suffering and trouble. After a long illness, his wife died. About this time he was granted a small civil pension in recognition of his services to literature. His elder son died of wounds received in battle. His eye troubles became worse and for long periods he was practically blind. Operations partially restored his sight, and he resumed his work cheerfully and courageously. He died of pneumonia, after a few days' illness. (information from 'Men of Nottingham & Notts' by Robert Mellors)