Yorkshire well-known author was children's writer Arthur Ransome, who penned the "Swallows and Amazons" series. James Herriot, the best selling author of over 60 million copies of books about his experiences of some 50 years as a veterinarian in Thirsk, North Yorkshire, the town which he refers to as Darrowby in his books (although born in Sunderland), has been admired for his easy reading style and interesting characters. Poets include Ted Hughes, W. H. Auden, William Empson, Simon Armitage and Andrew Marvell. Three well known sculptors emerged in the 20th century; contemporaries Henry Moore and Barbara Hepworth, and Leeds-raised eco artist
Swallows and Amazons series in the Brotherton Library at the University of Leeds. They describe the story of "Peter Duck" being made up by the Walkers and Blacketts on a wherry in the Norfolk Broads during the winter following the events described in "Swallows and Amazons". This composition was later referenced in "Swallowdale", but not in "Peter Duck" itself. The final complete book, "Great Northern?" is set in the Outer Hebrides off the west coast of Scotland. This book is sometimes included with "Peter Duck" and "Missee Lee" as metafictional because the story would involve the children being away from school during the nesting