The son of Reverend Wilfred Rumpole and his wife Alice, and born at Dulwich, [5] [6] Rumpole attended "Linklater's" (a fictional minor public school) [7] and studied law at either Keble College [8] or the fictional "St Joseph's College", Oxford, [9] coming away with "a dubious third" (Oxford then awarded fourths, so a third is equivalent to a 2:2). Rumpole was called to the bar at the "Outer Temple" (a fictional Inn of Court, named on the analogy of the Inner Temple, where John Mortimer was called, and the Middle Temple).

Speaking of television, it's my understanding that this series began as television, and then was turned to book form, which is not a process that normally leads to spectacular writing, despite my early fondness for Earthquake, The Fantastic Voyage, or, in a sense, Peter Pan and Wendy. So kudos for Mr. Mortimer in doing a brilliant job of translating from one medium to another. So much of the impact of this story is predicated on the goings-on inside of Rumpole's head, I can hardly imagine what the show would have been like without it. (Or maybe they used voiceover for his hidden thoughts--I should find out. I'd probably like it!) I heartily recommend Rumpole of the Bailey, and look forward to reading more Rumpole books, and more books by the splendid John Mortimer. Fred Timson ( Peter Childs) (Series 1–2); ( John Bardon) (Series 4–7): Head of the Timson clan, a family of "minor South London villains". The Timsons, who specialise in non-violent petty theft, often turn to Rumpole to defend them against charges arising from their latest brush with the law. Although many Timsons are seen through the course of the series, only Fred and Dennis (below) are series regulars. The "Schoolkids" Oz, Soho, and the Downfall of the "Dirty Squad" flashbak.com, accessed 2 November 2020.Albert is called "Mr. Tree" by Henry in both his appearances in Series 1, but his last name is thereafter Handyside. Rumpole and the Penge Bungalow Murders, John Mortimer, Penguin Books, 2004, p. 7; this contradicts 'Rumpole and the Barrow Boy' (from the collection Rumpole and the Age of Miracles, 1988), where the fact that Wystan was never made a Q.C., and that it would therefore be inappropriate to give Rumpole that distinction, is discussed. Hilarious brain candy guaranteed to take you away from the worries of the workaday world for a blissful all-too-short few hours. Highly recommended. He is asked what he will be doing that day. The reply? “Go on asking distasteful questions.” Does he want to relax and sit around? No! He says, “I don’t want to take it easy.” He states, “Everyone is worth defending!” He is willing to oppose the conventional and set rules in the support of justice. He is not flashy, goes by his principles and appears at times gruffer than he really is. While he speaks of his wife as “she who must be obeyed”, there is a tenderness that lies at the core of their relationship. We watch and observe, rather than simply being told. Actions speak more than words.

Nothing fazes Rumpole. He faces his challenges, surviving on comfort food, smoking cheap cigars, drinking coarse wine, and wearing a hat that earns him much derision. In the process, as he quotes verse at the drop of a hat, he entertains the reader with his dry humour. The Best of Rumpole: A Personal Choice (1993) Contains seven Rumpole stories personally selected as favourites by John Mortimer. The Anti-social Behaviour of Horace Rumpole (2007) (new novel) published in the US as Rumpole Misbehaves In the early 1970s Mortimer was appearing for some football hooligans when James Burge, with whom he was sharing the defence, told him: "I’m really an anarchist at heart, but I don’t think even my darling old Prince Peter Kropotkin would have approved of this lot." "And there," Mortimer realised, "I had Rumpole." [4] Biographical information (television) [ edit ] Charade, Mortimer's first novel, Bodley Head, London (1947); Viking, New York (1986); ISBN 0-670-81186-6Rumpole also refuses to prosecute, feeling it more important to defend the accused than to work to imprison them. (There was one exception, when Rumpole took on a private prosecution, working for a private citizen rather than for the crown, but he proved that the defendant was innocent and then reaffirmed, "from now on, Rumpole only defends".)

Mortimer was called to the Bar ( Inner Temple) in 1948, at the age of 25. His early career covered testamentary and divorce work, but on taking silk in 1966, he began to undertake criminal law. [7] His highest profile came from cases relating to claims of obscenity, which, according to Mortimer, were "alleged to be testing the frontiers of tolerance." [6] Contains all seven short stories in the 1981 collection "Regina V. Rumpole"; all six short stories in the 1983 collection "Rumpole and the Golden Thread" and all seven short stories in the 1987 collection "Rumpole's Last Case"

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Detective Inspector Brush ( Struan Rodger) (Series 2–5): A police officer intent on seeing accused criminals put away. Rumpole is generally contemptuous of Inspector Brush and his "unreliable notebook". Dot Clapton ( Camille Coduri) (Series 7): The new Chambers secretary after Diane leaves. A friendly chatterbox, especially in contrast to the quiet Diane. Rosemary Herbert (Winter 1988). "John Mortimer, The Art of Fiction No. 106". The Paris Review. Winter 1988 (109). Sir John Clifford Mortimer (1923-2009), barrister, playwright and writer Sitter in 7 portraits (National Portrait Gallery)