Veterinarian Herriot’s Office to Become a Museum
The world’s most famous veterinary surgery, where “All Creatures Great and Small” vet James Herriot used to practice, is to be made into a museum.
The best-selling author, whose tales of life as a rural vet in the Yorkshire Dales sold nearly 40 million copies worldwide and spawned a television series, died last year of cancer.
Herriot, whose real name was Alf White, spent 50 years practicing as a vet in the northern English town of Thirsk, which offered a rich vein of stories for his hugely popular books.
His partners have now agreed to sell the surgery to the local council, which will turn it into a museum and visitors center. “James Herriot charmed the world with his stories,” said council spokesman Pat O’Brien.
His 17 books became instant bestsellers in the United States and were translated into Japanese and every European language.
Despite the wealth his books brought him, Herriot continued to work as a vet in Thirsk until he was 72. His son took over his practice when he retired.
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