Home page of The Arthur Ransome Society (TARS)

This website is about the author Arthur Ransome and The Arthur Ransome Society (TARS). It is a resource about Ransome's life and works, including his famous Swallows and Amazons series of children's books. The site also provides regularly updated information about the Society, for use by both existing and prospective members.  We hope you enjoy your visit.

The Arthur Ransome Society (TARS)

TARS was formed in 1990, to celebrate and promote Arthur Ransome's life, works and spirit of adventure. Although based in the UK, TARS has members in some thirty countries, including Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand and the United States.

		More... Arthur Ransome (1884 - 1967) Arthur Mitchell Ransome was born in Leeds and went to school in Windermere and Rugby. Family holidays at the southern end of Coniston Water gave Ransome his lifelong love for the Lake District, angling, natural history and the outdoors. In 1902 Ransome abandoned a chemistry degree at the Yorkshire College to become a publisher's office boy in London. He used this precarious independence to practice writing, producing several minor works before Bohemia in London (1907), his first significant book. Many others followed during his fascinating life as an author, sailor, journalist, fisherman, story-teller and suspected spy.
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Arthur Ransome's Swallows and Amazons Today, Arthur Ransome is perhaps best known for his Swallows and Amazons series of novels, published (1930 - 1947). All remain in print and have been widely translated. Five novels are set in the Lake District, two on the Norfolk Broads and two more on the East Coast of England, around Pin Mill on the River Orwell, Harwich Harbour and the Walton Backwaters. These latter novels feature his own favourite yacht, Nancy Blackett, named after one of the series' main fictional characters. The remaining three novels are set in the Caribbean, China and the Outer Hebrides. Dissatisfied with the efforts of professional artists, Ransome eventually illustrated all twelve books himself. His distinctive style focuses on technical accuracy, reflecting his desire for pictures that correlate to his text. For generations of readers, his artwork has become an indispensible part of the books themselves. The twelve novels are: Swallows and Amazons, Swallowdale, Peter Duck, Winter Holiday, Coot Club, Pigeon Post, We Didn't Mean to go to Sea, Secret Water, The Big Six, Missee Lee, The Picts and the Martyrs and Great Northern?
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Arthur Ransome: story-teller, journalist, sailor, fisherman and suspected spy

There was much more to Arthur Ransome than the Swallows and Amazons novels alone. He wrote more than twenty-five other books, on a wide range of subjects, many related to his own life, experience and interests. Amongst the best known are: Oscar Wilde, a Critical Study (1913) (critisism); Old Peter's Russian Tales (1916) (Russian folklore); Six Weeks in Russia (1919), The Crisis in Russia (1921) and The Chinese Puzzle (1927) (politics); Racundra's First Cruise (1923) (sailing); Rod and Line (1929) (fishing) and The Autobiography of Arthur Ransome (1976).  

TARS

TARS has a Regional structure in the UK, each of which organises local programmes of events.There are also organised groups in several countries overseas. The Society has an International Annual General Meeting Weekend each May, and a bi-annual Literary Weekend, usually held in September. Members receive a range of publications and can also enjoy the benefit of the Society’s lenging library and well-stocked stall.

You can find out more about the Society’s aims, history, organisation and activities in the TARS section of this site.

How do I join TARS?

If you would like to join TARS, please go to our Joining TARS page for more information on membership benefits, subscription rates and access to our application form.

If you have any questions about TARS, please feel free to contact us at tarsinfo@arthur-ransome.org and we will do our best to help.

The drawings and quotes above are © The Arthur Ransome Literary Estate and are used with the Estate's permission.