Dr. Finlay Dr. Finlay Dr. Finlay is a fictional character, the hero of a series of stories by Scottish author A. J. Cronin. First appearing in Cronin's novella entitled "Country Doctor" and in several subsequent short stories published in "Hearst's International Combined with Cosmopolitan" magazine from 1935 through 1939, Dr. Finlay Hylsop is a general physician beginning his practice in the fictional Scottish town of Levenford. One of the later short stories would take him to the lochside village of Tannochbrae. In these stories, he was charming and became well-acquainted with his patients over many years. It was thus his trademark to
Dr. Finlay's Casebook stories appeared in the national press suggesting that the author wanted the series to end. One newspaper even accused the author of "maliciously doing millions out of legitimate enjoyment." The outcry from the viewing public was immediate, and sackfuls of mail were dispatched to Cronin's home in Switzerland. He issued a statement on 7 June to refute the charges made against him: By the following year, the series was a national institution. A Bill Simpson Fan Club was set up, Andy Stewart's "Dr Finlay" was in the Hit Parade for five weeks, and Andrew Cruickshank was invited as a guest