A.J. Cronin, a renowned British novelist, was born in the picturesque region of Dumbartonshire, Scotland, in the year 1896. As a young man, Cronin decided to pursue a career in medicine, and in 1914, he enrolled in Glasgow University to study medicine. However, his academic journey was soon interrupted by the outbreak of World War I, and he joined the British Navy as a surgeon sublieutenant.
During his time in the Navy, Cronin played a vital role in the war effort, utilizing his medical expertise to provide care to those in need. After the war, he returned to Glasgow University and completed his M.B. and Ch.B. in 1919. Cronin's next move was to take up a job as a ship's surgeon on a passenger liner, where he gained valuable experience and honed his skills.
Following his stint on the passenger liner, Cronin held various positions at several hospitals, eventually marrying and relocating to south Wales to establish a medical practice in 1921. His dedication to his craft led him to earn his MD degree from the University of Glasgow in 1925, after which he moved to London to start a practice there.
However, in 1930, Cronin began to experience health issues, which forced him to take a break and recuperate in the Scottish Highlands. During this time, he penned a story called "Hatter's Castle," which was published in 1931 and became a best-seller, translated into five languages, and later adapted into a film. The book's success convinced Cronin to dedicate himself to writing full-time.
Cronin's subsequent works would go on to garner widespread acclaim, with his most famous novel, "The Citadel," written in 1937, being adapted into several theatrical films and television series. Another notable work, "Keys of the Kingdom," tells the story of a priest who helps Chinese villagers survive under the brutal Japanese occupation during World War II. This book, too, was a best-seller and was successfully adapted into a film starring Gregory Peck.
