Author: Samuel Sargent Pugh
Author: Samuel Sargent Pugh (1825–1899)
Biography: Samuel Sargent Pugh was born on 21 November 1825 in Waltham, Essex, the son of Samuel Boys Pugh and his wife Mercy (née Sargent). He trained for the ministry and became a Baptist minister serving in Southampton before settling in Devizes in 1858. During his pastorate, he founded the Devizes Grammar School in 1871 and eventually gave up his ministry to devote himself full time to education. At the same time, he wrote popular religious books as well as fiction for young adults. Much of the latter was published anonymously and focused on school life. He married twice and had six children. After a period of failing health, he died of a heart attack on 8 January 1899 in Devizes. His local obituary lauded him as "one of the most highly and deservedly respected men in the county."
Author Tags:
References: British Census (1851, 1861); Devizes and Wilts Advertiser (12 January 1899); Probate
Fiction Titles:
- Life's Battle Lost and Won: or, Robert Joy's Victory. 1 vol. London: R. T. S., 1867.
- Which Wins the Prize?. 1 vol. London: R. T. S., 1868.
- Led Astray. 1 vol. London: R. T. S., 1872.
- Our Forest Home: Its Inmates, and What Became of Them. 1 vol. London: R. T. S., 1872.
- Ralph Harding's Success. 1 vol. London: R. T. S., 1872.
- My Schoolfellow, Val Bownser: or, Sunshine After Storm. 1 vol. London: R. T. S., 1879.
- Max Victor's Schooldays: The Friends He Made and the Foes He Conquered. 1 vol. London: R. T. S., 1883.
- His Masters: A Story of School-Life Forty Years Ago. 1 vol. London: R. T. S., 1887.