Gavin Maxwell (1914-1969) was a Scottish naturalist, conservationist, and author of "Ring of Bright Water" and other books. He was born on 15 July 1914 in Elgin, Scotland, the only child of Sir Herbert Maxwell and Lady Beatrice.
Maxwell was educated at Eton College and then at Cambridge University where he studied natural sciences. After graduating, he served in the Royal Marines during World War II, and then returned to Scotland, where he devoted himself to the study of wildlife and conservation.
Maxwell was a pioneering conservationist and spearheaded the campaign against the illegal killing of otters in Scotland. He was a founder member of the Scottish Wildlife Trust, and his campaigning was instrumental in the passing of the Protection of Badgers Act in 1967.
Maxwell was also a renowned author. His most famous book, “Ring of Bright Water” (1960) was a bestseller and won the John Burroughs Medal in 1962. It tells the story of his life with his pet otter, Mij, living in a remote cottage on the west coast of Scotland. The book was made into a film in 1969, starring Bill Travers and Virginia McKenna.
Maxwell's other books include “Raven Seek Thy Brother” (1961), “A Reed Shaken by the Wind” (1963), and “The Rocks Remain” (1966). He also wrote a series of books about his experiences in the Hebrides, including “Harbour and Shore” (1962) and “Island of the Seals” (1968).
Maxwell died on 7 September 1969 in Inverness, Scotland, aged 55. He is remembered for his pioneering work in wildlife conservation, and as one of the great nature writers of the twentieth century. His passion for Scotland’s wildlife and landscape lives on, and his books continue to inspire others to explore and protect the natural world.
