William Percival Westell (1874–1943): a prolific popularizer of British natural history

Abstract

In spite of the prodigious output of books on natural history for the popular market that emanated from William Percival Westell during the first half of the twentieth century, little has been written in his appreciation save for one brief obituary. Estimated to have sold some half million copies of his works – the products of some 37 publishers – he must have had a great impact on the public's appreciation of natural history. A self-educated naturalist, he strove to make his publications accessible to all by eschewing technical language. A native of Hertfordshire, living initially in St Albans and latterly in Letchworth Garden City, he served as curator of Letchworth Museum for three decades. This article expands on his autobiography and obituary: examining his oeuvre, ethics and contacts in order to set his achievements in a wider context than has been done hitherto. A bibliography of his natural history books is presented.