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{{Primarysources|date=September 2007}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2015}}
{{COI|date=September 2007}}
{{Use British English|date=December 2015}}
{{Primary sources|date=September 2007}}
{{Infobox writer <!-- for more information see [[:Template:Infobox writer/doc]] -->
| name = William Graham Stanton
⚫
| image = William Stanton - Author.jpg
| imagesize =
| caption =
| pseudonym =
| birth_date = {{birth date|1917|8|18|df=y}}<ref name="made"/>
| birth_place = [[Shiregreen and Brightside#Brightside|Brightside]], [[Sheffield]]
| death_date = {{death date and age|df=yes|1999|12|6|1917|8|18}}
| death_place = [[York]], [[North Yorkshire]]
| occupation = Radio playwright
| nationality = British
| period =
| genre =
| subject =
| movement =
| spouse = Dorothy Stanton<ref name="myvillage">{{cite web |url=http://www.myvillage.com/sheffield/celebs&gossip-bill_stanton.htm |title= Bill Stanton |publisher= Myvillage.com |accessdate=2007-10-07 |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20080205083402/http://www.myvillage.com/sheffield/celebs&gossip-bill_stanton.htm <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archivedate = 2008-02-05}}</ref>
| partner =
| children =
| relatives =
| influences =
| influenced =
| signature =
| website = {{URL|http://www.billstanton.co.uk/}}
}}


'''William Graham "Bill" Stanton''' (1917-1999) was a [[UK|British]] author and radio playwright.
'''William Graham Stanton''' (18 August 1917 – 6 December 1999) was a [[UK|British]] author and radio playwright.
⚫
<br />[[Image:William Stanton - Author.jpg]]


__TOC__
__TOC__
Line 9: Line 34:
== Early life ==
== Early life ==


Stanton was born in [[East Brightside]], [[Sheffield]], the seventh child of a blacksmith and his wife.<ref>{{cite web
William Graham Stanton was born in [[Shiregreen and Brightside#Brightside|Brightside]], [[Sheffield]], the seventh of eight children of John Stanton (a [[blacksmith]]) and his wife.<ref name="made">{{cite web
| author =
| author =
| title = Bill Stanton, Sheffield Author
| title = Bill Stanton, Sheffield Author
Line 15: Line 40:
| url = http://www.made-in-sheffield.com/people/billstanton.htm
| url = http://www.made-in-sheffield.com/people/billstanton.htm
| date =
| date =
| accessdate = 2007-09-30 }}</ref> Although means were tight his background was set within a working class [[Methodist]] tradition, and his experiences as a child, which he wrote about in later life, described an upbringing rich in love, event and interest.
| accessdate = 2007-09-30 |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20070807085320/http://www.made-in-sheffield.com/people/billstanton.htm <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archivedate = 2007-08-07}}</ref> His upbringing was in a working class [[Methodist]] tradition. His later writings about his experiences as a child described an upbringing rich in love, event and interest.


His father John understood the importance of an education. He was an avid reader, and it rubbed off onto his children. He sent his sons George and Arthur to [[Sheffield University]]. The Recession of the 1930s denied John the means to help Bill through University, and instead Bill had to settle for sponsorship from the [[Sheffield]] Education Committee to train to be a teacher. Although Bill was proud of his calling as a teacher he always knew he could have achieved far more academically. Throughout his life Bill wrote both prose and verse, most of which was unpublished.
Stanton's brothers, George and Arthur, were sent to [[Sheffield University]]. The [[Great Depression|depression]] of the 1930s denied Stanton's family the means to help him through university, and instead Stanton had to settle for sponsorship from the Sheffield Education Committee to train to be a teacher. Shortly after he qualified in 1939, war was declared and Stanton volunteered for the [[British Army|Army]]. During the war, he met and married Dorothy Walton from [[Millhouses]],<ref name="myvillage"/> and after the war they ran a private school together. Starting in 1954, he worked for the [[Vickers]]-owned English Steel Corporation as a sales representative. When he retired in 1980, it was as Area Marketing Manager for [[British Steel Corporation]] in [[Leeds]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.suttonelms.org.uk/bstanton.html |title= Bill Stanton radio drama, radio plays |publisher= Diversity Website |accessdate=2007-10-07}}</ref> Throughout his life, Stanton wrote both prose and verse, most of which was unpublished.


== Writing career ==
== Writing career ==


In 1961 Stanton had a short story published by [[BBC Radio]] on their Morning Story series. It was the first of a series of twenty-one stories presented by the BBC throughout the sixties, and early seventies.
In 1961, Stanton had a short story, ''It was never Albert'', published by [[BBC Radio]] on their Morning Story series.<ref name="made"/> It was the first of a series of twenty-one stories presented by the BBC throughout the sixties and early seventies.


In 1969 he had his first radio play success. ''The Compost Heap'', a play about an old man who had become a burden to his family, was the first of a prodigious output of radio plays. The [[BBC]] produced and broadcast ten of Stanton's plays in 1971, more than any other author for that year.<ref name="myvillage"/> Stanton was delighted that they got [[Wilfred Pickles]] to play the principal character Albert Smith. He met Wilfred and they became firm friends.<ref>{{cite web
In 1969 he had his first radio play success. ''The Compost Heap''<ref>{{cite web
| author =
| author = Steve Lloyd
| title = Bill Stanton Radio Plays
| title = Wilf Pickles talks his life on to tape
| publisher = Diversity Website
| publisher = The Sheffield Star
| url = http://web.ukonline.co.uk/suttonelms/bstanton.html
| url = http://www.thestar.co.uk/
| date =
| date = 29 November 1976
| accessdate = 2007-09-30 }}</ref>, a play about an old man who had become a burden to his family was the first of a prodigious output of radio plays. In all the [[BBC]] produced and broadcast ten plays. Stanton was delighted that they got [[Wilfred Pickles]] to play the principle character Albert Smith. He met Wilfred and they became firm friends. A young [[Tony Robinson]] also appeared in the play as the son-in-law Charlie.
| accessdate = 2011-04-20 }}</ref> A young [[Tony Robinson]] also appeared in the play as the son-in-law Charlie.


Other plays were critically acclaimed. ''Milgrip's Progress'' was reviewed in the Listener, ''Twelve Tuesdays to Christmas'' was reviewed in the Listener.
In 1977 his first book ''Treason For My Daily Bread''<ref>{{cite web
In 1977, Stanton's first book ''Treason For My Daily Bread''<ref>{{cite web
⚫
| author =W G Stanton
| author = W G Stanton
| title = Treason For My Daily Bread
| title = Treason For My Daily Bread
| publisher = Vallency Press(F.H.Books Limited), Guernsey, British Isles ISBN 0905589009
| publisher = Vallancey Press (F.H.Books Limited), Guernsey, British Isles
| isbn=978-0-905589-00-8
| url = http://www.billstanton.co.uk/novels/treason.htm
| url = http://www.billstanton.co.uk/novels/treason.htm
| date = 1977
| year = 1977
| accessdate = 2007-10-02}}</ref> was published. This was a fictional work around the assassination of [[John F. Kennedy]].
| accessdate = 2007-10-02}}</ref> was published. This was a fictional work around the assassination of [[John F. Kennedy]] based on a manuscript which was supposed to be written by a fictional character, Mikhail Mikhailovich Lebedev.{{citation needed|date=August 2017}} Stanton also wrote two unpublished books, ''Fallout in Arden''<ref>{{cite web
⚫
| author =W G Stanton
| title = Fallout In Arden
| publisher = unpublished
| url = http://www.billstanton.co.uk/novels/fallout.htm
| year = 1995
| accessdate = 2007-10-15}}</ref> and ''Moss'',<ref>{{cite web
| author = W G Stanton
| title = Moss
| publisher = unpublished
| url = http://www.billstanton.co.uk/novels/moss.htm
| year = 1995}}</ref> a semiautobiographical work. Moss was posthumously published by Writers Tutorial Publications in 2024.<ref>{{cite web
| author = W G Stanton
| title = Moss
| publisher = Writers Tutorial Publications
| isbn=978-1-7385652-5-2
| url = https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1738565254
| year = 2024}}</ref>


== Teaching and Lecturing ==
== Teaching and lecturing ==


On the basis of this success and his experience Stanton was invited to lecture at weekend courses for aspiring writers. He developed a following of students who were impressed by what he had to offer, and the style in which he presented the material. As a teacher, Stanton wanted to inspire rather than instruct. He placed a great emphasis on doing rather than talking about doing. He arranged "workshops" rather than "courses," and out of this came a number of projects. One was the "Workshop 74" at [[St. Mary's College]], [[Durham]], and another was the "Writer's Tutorial." He compiled much of his thinking on writing in a writers manual, published privately by Writers Tutorial, ''Write Through Rewrite''. This was later revised and published as "Making Things Clear"<ref>{{cite web
After his successes, Stanton was invited to lecture at weekend courses for aspiring writers. As a teacher, Stanton wanted to inspire rather than instruct. He placed a great emphasis on doing rather than talking. He arranged "workshops" rather than "courses," and out of this came a number of projects. One was the "Workshop 74" at [[St Mary's College, Durham|St. Mary's College]], [[Durham, England|Durham]], and another was the "Writer's Tutorial." He compiled much of his thinking on writing in a writers manual, published privately by Writers Tutorial, ''Write Through Rewrite''. This was later revised and published as "Making Things Clear."<ref>{{cite book
| author =W G Stanton
| author =W G Stanton
| title = Making Things Clear
| title = Making Things Clear
| publisher = The Parthenon Publishing Group Limited ISBN 1-85070-205-5
| publisher = The Parthenon Publishing Group Limited
| isbn=1-85070-205-5
| url = http://worldcat.org/isbn/1850702055
| url = http://worldcat.org/isbn/1850702055
| date = 1989
| year = 1989
| accessdate = 2007-10-02}}</ref>.
| accessdate = 2007-10-02}}</ref>


==Later life and death==
In 1992 Stanton was enrolled at the [[University of York]] to read English and American Literature. This gave him the opportunity to study Shakespeare properly. He threw himself into his studies and received a [[British undergraduate degree classification#Second-Class Honours|two one]]. Whilst at York he translated the [[middle english]] poem [[Pearl]]<ref>{{cite web
In 1992, Stanton enrolled at the [[University of York]] to read English and American Literature. This gave him the opportunity to study Shakespeare properly. While at York he translated the [[Middle English]] poem [[Pearl (poem)|Pearl]]<ref>{{cite web
| author =W G Stanton
| author =W G Stanton
| title = A Translation In Verse of The Middle Englsih Poem Pearl
| title = A Translation In Verse of The Middle English Poem Pearl
| url = http://alliteration.net/Pearlman.html
| url = http://www.alliteration.net/Pearlman.html
| date = 1995
| year = 1995
| accessdate = 2007-10-02}}</ref> for his long assignment. When he graduated in June 1996 at the age of 79, he was [[University of York]]'s oldest graduate.
| accessdate = 2007-10-02}}</ref> for his long assignment. When he graduated in June 1996 with a [[British undergraduate degree classification#Upper Second Class Honours|two one]] at the age of 79, he was [[University of York]]'s oldest graduate ever.

Stanton fell ill on 6 December 1999, and was taken to York District Hospital, where he died.


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}


== Links ==
== External links ==
[http://www.billstanton.co.uk Archive of Bill Stanton's writing available online]<br />
* [http://www.billstanton.co.uk Official site]

[http://web.ukonline.co.uk/suttonelms/bstanton.html Bill Stanton Radio Plays - Diversity Website]
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Stanton, William Graham}}
[[Category:1917 births]]
[[Category:1999 deaths]]
[[Category:Alumni of the University of York]]
[[Category:20th-century English dramatists and playwrights]]
[[Category:English male dramatists and playwrights]]
[[Category:20th-century English male writers]]

Latest revision as of 16:07, 11 June 2024

William Graham Stanton
Born(1917-08-18)18 August 1917[1]
Brightside, Sheffield
Died6 December 1999(1999-12-06) (aged 82)
York, North Yorkshire
OccupationRadio playwright
NationalityBritish
SpouseDorothy Stanton[2]
Website
www.billstanton.co.uk

William Graham Stanton (18 August 1917 – 6 December 1999) was a British author and radio playwright.

Early life

[edit]

William Graham Stanton was born in Brightside, Sheffield, the seventh of eight children of John Stanton (a blacksmith) and his wife.[1] His upbringing was in a working class Methodist tradition. His later writings about his experiences as a child described an upbringing rich in love, event and interest.

Stanton's brothers, George and Arthur, were sent to Sheffield University. The depression of the 1930s denied Stanton's family the means to help him through university, and instead Stanton had to settle for sponsorship from the Sheffield Education Committee to train to be a teacher. Shortly after he qualified in 1939, war was declared and Stanton volunteered for the Army. During the war, he met and married Dorothy Walton from Millhouses,[2] and after the war they ran a private school together. Starting in 1954, he worked for the Vickers-owned English Steel Corporation as a sales representative. When he retired in 1980, it was as Area Marketing Manager for British Steel Corporation in Leeds.[3] Throughout his life, Stanton wrote both prose and verse, most of which was unpublished.

Writing career

[edit]

In 1961, Stanton had a short story, It was never Albert, published by BBC Radio on their Morning Story series.[1] It was the first of a series of twenty-one stories presented by the BBC throughout the sixties and early seventies.

In 1969 he had his first radio play success. The Compost Heap, a play about an old man who had become a burden to his family, was the first of a prodigious output of radio plays. The BBC produced and broadcast ten of Stanton's plays in 1971, more than any other author for that year.[2] Stanton was delighted that they got Wilfred Pickles to play the principal character Albert Smith. He met Wilfred and they became firm friends.[4] A young Tony Robinson also appeared in the play as the son-in-law Charlie.

Other plays were critically acclaimed. Milgrip's Progress was reviewed in the Listener, Twelve Tuesdays to Christmas was reviewed in the Listener. In 1977, Stanton's first book Treason For My Daily Bread[5] was published. This was a fictional work around the assassination of John F. Kennedy based on a manuscript which was supposed to be written by a fictional character, Mikhail Mikhailovich Lebedev.[citation needed] Stanton also wrote two unpublished books, Fallout in Arden[6] and Moss,[7] a semiautobiographical work. Moss was posthumously published by Writers Tutorial Publications in 2024.[8]

Teaching and lecturing

[edit]

After his successes, Stanton was invited to lecture at weekend courses for aspiring writers. As a teacher, Stanton wanted to inspire rather than instruct. He placed a great emphasis on doing rather than talking. He arranged "workshops" rather than "courses," and out of this came a number of projects. One was the "Workshop 74" at St. Mary's College, Durham, and another was the "Writer's Tutorial." He compiled much of his thinking on writing in a writers manual, published privately by Writers Tutorial, Write Through Rewrite. This was later revised and published as "Making Things Clear."[9]

Later life and death

[edit]

In 1992, Stanton enrolled at the University of York to read English and American Literature. This gave him the opportunity to study Shakespeare properly. While at York he translated the Middle English poem Pearl[10] for his long assignment. When he graduated in June 1996 with a two one at the age of 79, he was University of York's oldest graduate ever.

Stanton fell ill on 6 December 1999, and was taken to York District Hospital, where he died.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c "Bill Stanton, Sheffield Author". Made in Sheffield Dot Com. Archived from the original on 7 August 2007. Retrieved 30 September 2007.
  2. ^ a b c "Bill Stanton". Myvillage.com. Archived from the original on 5 February 2008. Retrieved 7 October 2007.
  3. ^ "Bill Stanton radio drama, radio plays". Diversity Website. Retrieved 7 October 2007.
  4. ^ Steve Lloyd (29 November 1976). "Wilf Pickles talks his life on to tape". The Sheffield Star. Retrieved 20 April 2011.
  5. ^ W G Stanton (1977). "Treason For My Daily Bread". Vallancey Press (F.H.Books Limited), Guernsey, British Isles. ISBN 978-0-905589-00-8. Retrieved 2 October 2007.
  6. ^ W G Stanton (1995). "Fallout In Arden". unpublished. Retrieved 15 October 2007.
  7. ^ W G Stanton (1995). "Moss". unpublished.
  8. ^ W G Stanton (2024). "Moss". Writers Tutorial Publications. ISBN 978-1-7385652-5-2.
  9. ^ W G Stanton (1989). Making Things Clear. The Parthenon Publishing Group Limited. ISBN 1-85070-205-5. Retrieved 2 October 2007.
  10. ^ W G Stanton (1995). "A Translation In Verse of The Middle English Poem Pearl". Retrieved 2 October 2007.
[edit]
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