Mr Olim

Mr Olim is a novel by Ernest Raymond, published in 1961 to critical acclaim [1] by Cassell. It is often used by teacher training colleges to encourage students to analyse successful teaching.[2]

First edition
Cover art by John Finnie

In his retirement, Davey La Tour looks back to his schooldays – specifically, to his first year at St Erkenwald's, a public school in west London (based on Raymond's own school, St Paul's). There he meets the fearsome Dr Hodder,[3] High Master, and his form master, the equally volatile Mr Olim.[4] During that year he develops a deep respect for the acerbic but inspirational classicist. Years later he organises a celebratory dinner for the now retired pedagogue.

The book was serialised on BBC Radio 4's Book at Bedtime in October 1990, and turned into a Talking Book for the Blind.[5]

References
  1. Burgess, Anthony (27 July 1961). "The New Novels". Yorkshire Post. p. 4.
  2. Mallinson, Vernon (1968). "Literacy studies in the service of comparative education". Comparative Education. 4 (3): 177–181.
  3. Liddell Hart in a letter to the editor of The Pauline confirms that the character of Dr Hodder was based on the real life High Master of St Paul's during Raymond's time, Frederick William Walker: King's College (London) Liddell Hart Centre for Military Archives LIDDELL 6/1962/1 Jan 1-Mar 31, 1962
  4. Based on Reverend Horace Dixon Elam, Remove Master at the same school: Liddell, ibid.
  5. RNIB TB:1820
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