James Herriot grew up in Glasgow and qualified as a veterinary surgeon at Glasgow Veterinary College. Shortly afterwards he took up a position as an assistant in a North Yorkshire practice where he remained, with the exception of his wartime service in the RAF.

His stories about his life as a vet have charmed and delighted millions of readers in the 30 years since his first book IF ONLY THEY COULD TALK was published in 1972. It was followed by IT SHOULDN'T HAPPEN TO A VET, LET SLEEPING VETS LIE, VET IN HARNESS, VET IN A SPIN, EVERY LIVING THING and THE LORD GOD MADE THEM ALL.

All together his books have sold in excess of 15 million copies.

James Herriot is a pseudonym. He died in 1995.