Julian Kirrin in middle age - Eileen Soper

[pete9012S]

Obviously not, but maybe has the look of an older Julian??

[Lucky Star]

In his seat in the House of Commons.

[Viv of Ginger Pop]

This gentleman is Eric Liddell of Chariots of Fire fame.

http://www.weihsien-paintings.org/Norma ... inting.htm

Viv

[Boodi 2]

Fascinating and well spotted Pete!
From the tone of the article that Viv so kindly provided it seems quite plausible (at least to me) that Eileen Soper actually based Julian on Eric Liddell!!!

[db105]

This article gives more detail about the relationship between Eileen Soper and Eric Liddell
https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/real ... et-8165212

[Anita Bensoussane]

Thanks for posting the picture and articles Pete, Viv and Db105. It's interesting to see the painting and read the rather poignant story behind it.

[Courtenay]

Wow, now that is interesting!! I knew about Eric Liddell from having watched Chariots of Fire, of course, but I had no idea he knew Eileen Soper — or that there's evidence she secretly had feelings for him... What a fascinating story. Perhaps it's better, though, that Eileen didn't marry him, or she most likely would have followed him to China and would never have illustrated the Famous Five...

[Viv of Ginger Pop]

Eric Liddell was born in China - so I've heard that the Chinese claim him as their first Olympic Gold Medalist

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-18856533

I'd be interested in opinions - do you think that Eric Liddell was Chinese, Scottish or British?

Viv

[Boodi 2]

What a conundrum!
While he was ethnically Scottish and was the first Olympic Gold Medalist to have been born in China I assume he represented Britain in the Olympics and therefore I would consider him British.

[Courtenay]

Yes, I'd say the same, Boodi. I assume his legal nationality was British and he most likely considered himself British and Scottish. Being British doesn't necessarily have anything to do with where you were born, anyway. Otherwise we're getting into the territory of all those trolls who were questioning how Emma Raducanu can be "British" when she was born in Canada and her parents are Chinese and Romanian. If you hold British citizenship and you identify as British, you're British. (I should know! )

Meanwhile, though, it really does have me wondering now if Eileen was indeed channelling her memories of Eric when she illustrated the handsome, dependable, athletic and noticeably blond young Julian Kirrin...

[Boodi 2]

Agreed Courtenay,
and in view of the information contained in the two articles I am quite certain that Eileen Soper was channelling her memories of Eric Liddell when she illustrated Julian Kirrin. I have always rather disliked the pompous "know-all" Julian (probably the reason I am not such a great 'fan of the Famous Five) but having read about the possible Eric Liddell connection I feel a bit better disposed towards the character now. Did you see Rowan Atkinson's "take" on "Chariots of Fire" during the opening ceremony at the London Olympics? I really enjoyed it!!!

[Courtenay]

Did you see Rowan Atkinson's "take" on "Chariots of Fire" during the opening ceremony at the London Olympics? I really enjoyed it!!!

Oh my word, I couldn't stop laughing at the time — and to this day I still can't watch the opening of Chariots of Fire, or even listen to the theme tune, with a completely straight face...

[Boodi 2]

Yes, it was really fantastic, as was the whole opening ceremony.