Arthur Quiller-Couch Arthur Quiller-Couch Sir Arthur Thomas Quiller-Couch (; 21 November 186312 May 1944) was a Cornish writer who published using the pseudonym Q. Although a prolific novelist, he is remembered mainly for the monumental publication "The Oxford Book Of English Verse 1250–1900" (later extended to 1918) and for his literary criticism. He influenced many who never met him, including American writer Helene Hanff, author of "84, Charing Cross Road" and its sequel, "Q's Legacy". His "Oxford Book of English Verse" was a favourite of John Mortimer fictional character Horace Rumpole. Arthur Quiller-Couch was born in the town of Bodmin, Cornwall, by
John Quiller Rowett John Quiller Rowett John Quiller Rowett (1876–1924) was a British businessman and philanthropist. He made a fortune in the wines and spirits industry as chairman and managing director of Rowett, Leakey and Co., and a director of other companies. He had a desire to do more than make money and in the years after World War I he was a notable contributor to public and charitable causes. A schoolfriend of Sir Ernest Shackleton at Dulwich College, Rowett was the sole financial backer (to the tune of £70,000 ()) for Shackleton's final Antarctic venture, the Shackleton–Rowett Expedition of 1921–1922, during which