H. R. S. Pocock

Hugh Raymond Spilsbury Pocock (1904–1988) was a British author.

Pocock was born in Kent, England. He won a scholarship to St Paul's School before accepting a scholarship in Greats (the classics in Latin and Ancient Greek) at Pembroke College, Oxford. From there he went on to join Royal Dutch Shell where he worked until his retirement. After moving to Chile as general manager, where he met his wife, Agnes Sydney Margaret Pocock (known as Peggy) he moved on to head the office at Rio de Janeiro, before returning to London as secretary to the board of directors. He retired to Jersey in 1959. Ray and Peggy had three children: Ann, Jenny and Mark.

Writing

Pocock published a book of poetry, Farmyard Comedian and other Poems, as well as The Conquest of Chile and The Memoirs of Lord Coutanche about the wartime Bailiff of Jersey. He also left to the island detailed research on its Martello towers. A keen amateur astronomer, his interests brought him the acquaintance of Sir Patrick Moore. He was also a talented composer, and left behind the full piano score to a musical of one of Oscar Wilde's plays, Lady Windermere's Fan, much in the style of Gilbert and Sullivan.

Ancestors

H. R. S. Pocock was a descendant of William Wilmer Pocock, Master of the Worshipful Company of Carpenters, who was responsible for the design of Carpenters' Hall.