J. P. Martin

J. P. Martin (1879-1966) was an English Methodist minister and children's author, born in Scarborough, who served as a missionary in South Africa and a wartime chaplain in Palestine before turning to writing. He is remembered almost entirely for the Uncle series, six eccentric children's books published between 1964 and 1973 that follow a wealthy, elderly elephant named Uncle through absurd, invention-filled adventures in his sprawling mansion, Homeward. Martin originally told the stories to his own four children, and his eldest daughter, Stella Martin, later edited and published further volumes after his death. Though a modest seller on first publication, the Uncle books developed a devoted cult following among writers and readers, and were reissued in a successful 2013 crowdfunded edition backed by authors including Neil Gaiman and Garth Nix.