Graham Higson is surprised there isn't already a society set up to remember the talents of Halifax-born Phyllis Bentley.
Which is why he is suggesting setting one up.
"When you think of her writing career and what she achieved I think it would be a shame to allow her to be forgotten," he says.
"Other authors have appreciation societies set up in their name, so why not Phyllis Bentley?"
Graham said he was first introduced to her writings after being mesmerised by the televised series based on Phyllis's famous Inheritance trilogy of novels.
Inheritance, the epic north-country novel published in 1932 was to become a best-seller not only locally and in the UK but it also took America by storm, making the front pages of the US Press.
It received more than 500 reviews, was serialised by the BBC, translated into eight languages and – along with its sequels, The Rise of Henry Morcar and A Man Of His Time – was made into a major TV drama series.
The 1967 Granada 10-part series featured Sowerby Bridge as the fictitious town of Annots-field, as well as locations in Ripponden and starred John Thaw and James Bolam.
"I remember it being broadcast while I was at junior school," says Graham, 52.
"It really brought history to life and I am sure there would be audiences for it today.
"In fact, if a Phyllis Bentley Society were to be set up, that is one thing that could be looked at – getting it released on DVD or even seeing it repeated on television.
"Of course it would be in black and white so maybe audiences would not go for it today. But I do think it is a very overlooked story.
But I do think it is a very overlooked story. The novel is no longer in print, which is a shame."
Graham also praises Phyllis's stories for children, including Gold Pieces, the fictionalised account, seen through the eyes of a 12-year-old boy, of the Cragg Coiners.
Hebden Bridge independent bookshop The Book Case has been responsible for reprinting some of the novelist's children's books in recent years.
Phyllis Bentley was born in November 1894 and brought up at Heath Villas, Halifax, where she was to spend most of her life.
She was educated at the former Halifax High Schools for Girls (Savile Hall) before being sent to Cheltenham Ladies' College and then, after obtaining an external London BA degree in English and maths, she began teaching in London before returning to Halifax as an English and Latin mistress at Heath Grammar School.
During the First World War she worked in a London munitions factory before coming home once more and undertaking voluntary work at Halifax Child Welfare Clinic.
She had always enjoyed writing and in one interview revealed how she had written fairy stories as a child and from 1915 had begun working on Environment, a novel based on the life of a West Yorkshire girl.
After numerous revisions it was published in 1922 but sold poorly.
The following year Cat in The Manger was published (this was even less successful) but The Spinner of the Years, with its controversial theme of marriage breakdown, published in 1928, brought her critical acclaim, notably from fellow novelist Arnold Bennett.
Succeeding novels, The Partner (1928), Carr (1929) and Trio (1930) cemented her success as a revered novelist.
A former president of Halifax Thespians, she died in June 1977 at Ing Royde home, Halifax, aged 82, after living most of her later years at The Grange, Warley.
Graham recalls meeting the novelist – created an honorary doctor of literature in 1949 by Leeds University – at a literary luncheon.
"It was organised by the Yorkshire Post and it was the first posh do I had been to. I'd be about 15 or 16," he laughs.
"I went across to talk to her and I asked her if she thought there was any chance of them repeating Inheritance on television.
"She told me that a number of students in Manchester had set up a petition to argue for it but that she did not hold out much hope.
"She gave me her autograph and I went on my way," he says.
Graham is a committee member with The Walmsley Society, which has been responsible for rekindling interest in the Shipley-born author Leo Walmsley, best known for his Bramblewick trilogy, set in Robin Hood's Bay.
The society's successes have included getting the British Film Institute to release, on video, a film that was based on one of his books, members writing the definitive biography prompting one publisher to republish four of Walmsley's books (all sold out twice) and now republishing the Walmsley books themselves. "These are just examples of what a successful literary society can achieve.
"It would be nice to think there were people out there interested in doing the same for Phyllis Bentley and her writings."
Anyone interested in helping to set up a society and become involved should email Graham at
bentleysoc@gmail.com
