Andrew Symons has been studying the life and works of Arthur Quiller-Couch for many years and this site is the result of his enthusiasm and scholarship.
The idea for publishing a collection of academic material on Q began in 2005 when Andrew gave a talk at an evening organised by the Sir Arthur Quiller-Couch Memorial Fund. There he was introduced to Dr Gerry Hones, a fellow admirer of Q, and they began a collaboration with the intention of publishing a book of original academic studies. Following the death of Dr Hones, Andrew Symons has developed the material on this website.
Over the years, Morrab Library in Penzance has provided invaluable support for the project. The Library holds a collection of Q’s works and, like Andrew, would welcome a resurgence of interest in the man who was once known as ‘The Greatest Living Cornishman’.
This site offers a great deal of information and discussion about Q, most of it published here for the first time. We will be adding new articles in the future and it is our hope that other people will also be interested in contributing the results of their own original research. If you would like to submit articles for consideration for the site, please contact Andrew Symons.
Curator: Andrew Symons
Editor: Cathy Lake
Website: Nick Harpley
Other Contributors
David Fryer
David Fryer was born in Northallerton, North Riding of Yorkshire, and was educated at Ripon Grammar School and Durham University. In 1964, after four years of teaching in Coventry, David entered education administration with Birmingham LEA under CEO, Sir Lionel Russell. In 1968, he moved to the north east and held successive posts with Teeside then Cleveland LEAs. In 1982, David was appointed Deputy Secretary for Education for Cornwall and became Secretary (CEO) in 1988, succeeding Norman Barr.
David retired in 1994 but since that date has been involved in a range of matters and various bodies. For example, Chairman of Governors of Truro College during its crucial formative years, Board Member of the Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust, member of the Special Education Needs Tribunal and Chairman of the Further Education Funding Council SW Committee. More recently, David's main focus has been on the Arts and he was Chairman of Truro 3 Arts for 10 years, Chairman and still a member of the Charles Causley Trust and, currently, Chairman of the Cornwall Music Service Trust.
Shortly after retirement, David became a member of the Sir Arthur Quiller-Couch Memorial Fund Committee and he is still proud to serve on that body. This has given David a strong interest in the life and works of 'Q' and he was closely involved in the Fund's production of a DVD about 'Q' in 2008.
David lives in Truro and has been married to Ros for some 58 years. They have two daughters and four grand-daughters.