Alan Patrick Herbert, a renowned English novelist and essayist, was born in the bustling city of London, England, in the year 1890. Following his academic pursuits at Oxford, Herbert embarked on a distinguished career in the Royal Navy, serving valiantly during World War I. His involvement in the ill-fated Gallipoli campaign in Turkey, which resulted in catastrophic casualties and a crushing defeat for the Allied forces, left an indelible mark on his life.
Undeterred by his experiences, Herbert continued to serve in France, where he suffered severe wounds, ultimately receiving a medical discharge. His remarkable recovery led him to pursue a career in law, being admitted to the bar in 1918. For two years, he served as a private secretary to a member of the British Parliament, honing his skills and gaining valuable insight into the inner workings of government.
Herbert's remarkable writing talent was soon recognized, and he became a contributing writer for the esteemed "Punch" magazine in 1910. His dedication and excellence earned him a staff writer position in 1924, a role he held until his election to the British Parliament in 1935 as an Independent representative for Oxford.
Throughout his illustrious career, Herbert penned numerous novels, including the celebrated "The House by the River" and "The Water Gipsies", both of which were successfully adapted into films.