The Man Who Didn't Succeed
A search for the truth about a tragic victim who lived a life lacking in purpose but of his own choosing.
Decline and separation. It was expected that John Ralph Bankes would succeed his father Ralph as head of the historical Bankes estate, including Kingston Lacy and Corfe Castle. But John was different. A complex mix of eccentricity, personal sorrow and self-will led to alienation from his background and an inevitable solitary death in London.
Projects
Next Book
An impromptu meeting with an inquisitive visitor a few years ago led to embarking on a new book about Walter Bankes (1853-1904). The visitor, a certain Mark Cornell, asked more than curious questions about Walter. Even more intriguingly, his wife, on observing a portrait of Walter, remarked: “There’s definitely some resemblance.”
Events
Appearances
For over 10 years I have given over 200 talks to a broad range of audiences on contrasting aspects of the Bankes family history and the Russell-Cotes Museum and Art Gallery.
Publication
The Man Who Didn’t Succeed
It was expected that John Ralph Bankes would succeed his father Ralph as head of the historical Bankes estate, including Kingston Lacy and Corfe Castle.
But John was different.
A complex mix of eccentricity, personal sorrow and self-will led to alienation from his background and an inevitable solitary death in London.