Reginald Arkell

Born in England in 1882 and active across the first half of the twentieth century, Reginald Arkell built a varied career as a writer, playwright, poet, and scriptwriter. Reliable biographical sources agree that he wrote comic fiction and musical plays, and he is especially associated with the London theatre as well as with light, humorous prose.

Arkell is now most often remembered for Old Herbaceous, the novel that became his best-known book and helped secure his reputation with readers on both sides of the Atlantic. Alongside his fiction, he also wrote for the stage and screen, showing an easy versatility and a fondness for wit rather than satire with a sting.

What makes his work last is its warmth. Even when writing comedy, he tended to favor charm, observation, and affection for ordinary people, which gives his books a relaxed, companionable feel that still appeals to readers looking for something classic and quietly funny.