Hugh Walpole - The Golden Scarecrow: "Men are often capable of greater things than they perform."

The biography details the life of Sir Hugh Seymour Walpole, a New Zealand-born author who navigated a challenging childhood marked by isolation and bullying in England. His literary journey began at Cambridge and led to early recognition from notable figures like Henry James. During World War I, he served as a Russian officer, earning the Cross of Saint George for bravery. Walpole's later life included success as a novelist, screenwriter, and lecturer, alongside a close friendship with Harold Cheevers. He was knighted in 1937 but struggled with health issues until his death in 1941.