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The Novels
The character Doctor Syn has appeared in the following novels:
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Russell Thorndike's seven Doctor Syn novels
at The Ship Inn, Dymchurch
Photograph by permission of Andy Sharp
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The novel "Doctor Syn" was published in 1915. It is set around the turn of the 18th century and tells the story of the Vicar of Dymchurch, who was once the notorious pirate Captain Clegg and now leads a secret life as the Scarecrow, head of a gang of smugglers. The author was the actor and writer Russell Thorndike, brother of the actress Dame Sybil Thorndike.
While the Thorndikes were touring the USA with a theatrical company, a murder took place outside their hotel. The body was left all night on the street below their window. Unable to sleep, they passed the time by telling stories. The character of Doctor Syn is said to have been created that night. The Thorndikes knew Dymchurch well and were frequent visitors. Russell lived in several different houses in the village, and was often to be found in the Ship Inn, which is featured prominently in the novel.
Such was the popularity of the original novel that Thorndike went on to write six others, which recount Doctor Syn's earlier life. The descriptions below of the seven novels are taken from the Arrow paperback editions.
If you wish to obtain copies of the novels, see note below on availability.
- Doctor Syn on the High Seas (1936?) "recounts the early life of this brilliant young Oxford scholar, who throws away the Bible for the sword in his mad quest for vengeance. By killing a notorious bully in a duel, Syn wins the hand of the Beauty of Oxford and accepts the living of Dymchurch-under-the-Wall. But his wife runs away with a friend of his, and Syn, abandoning his pulpit, follows them to the Americas. His enemy has hidden himself among pirates sailing under the Jolly Roger. Syn himself follows suit, calls himself Captain Clegg, and becomes the Terror of the Seas." The story begins in 1754.
- Doctor Syn Returns (1935): "Doctor Syn is wrecked in Dymchurch Bay, sole survivor of a burning brig. Narrowly escaping murder, he ingeniously establishes himself as Vicar of Dymchurch. He might have succeeded in escaping from his piratical past, had not Mipps, an old pirate, discovered Syn's hiding place. Together they settle down as vicar and sexton. But Mipps becomes involved with smugglers, is captured, and Syn's hand is forced. He rides the marshes at the head of his Night Riders." The story begins in 1775.
- The Further Adventures of Doctor Syn (1936) "is concerned with Doctor Syn's adventures as leader of his Night Riders. "Death to the Scarecrow" is once more the slogan of the authorities hunting him down on Romney Marsh. Syn's audacity in maintaining his double identity reaches new heights when he accepts a challenge to drink with the Admiral on his flagship. Syn, however, remains loyal to his King and assists in the destruction of a French privateer in the Channel. But his first loyalties are to his flock as both Parish Priest and Scarecrow, leader of the weird Night Riders." The story begins in 1776. This novel was the inspiration for William Buchanan's novel Christopher Syn.
- The Amazing Quest of Doctor Syn (1938): "A Welshman comes to Dymchurch to identify Doctor Syn and to inform him that the pair of them, as the last survivors of a Tontine, are the joint inheritors of a vast sum of money. He has been sent on this mission by his landlord, Tarroc Dolgenny, who is an unscrupulous villain and has planned to murder Doctor Syn, get the Tontine fortune paid to the Welshman, and then by marrying the heiress, who was a pretty niece of the Welshman, he could be sure of the money, and could in turn get rid of his wife's uncle. Doctor Syn journeys to Wales to pit his wits against his would-be murderer." The story begins in 1780. This is described by Arrow as the fifth book in the sequence, even though its action and publication date are both later than "The Courageous Exploits of Doctor Syn".
- The Courageous Exploits of Doctor Syn (1939): "Doctor Syn is confronted by the most dangerous enemy of his career, Captain Blain of the Royal Navy. The by now exasperated Admiralty decides upon strong action against Syn and his smuggler band. But even this is not enough. The Scarecrow and his exploits make him into a national hero. Syn, as the Scarecrow, grows bolder, and he makes it known that he will hunt with the Prince of Wales." The story begins in 1781. This is described by Arrow as the fourth book in the sequence, even though its action and publication date are both earlier than "The Amazing Quest of Doctor Syn".
- The Shadow of Doctor Syn (1944): "Once again Doctor Syn, Vicar of Dymchurch, scholar, wit, friend of the Prince Regent (the only parson who could make him laugh) and notorious smuggler, rides as the mysterious Scarecrow at the head of his Night Riders on Romney Marsh. Despite the Reign of Terror raging across the Channel, and the fact that England is at war with France, his luggers brave the blockade with their valuable cargoes of rum, brandy, sundry spirits and silks, to exchange for shorn wool and English gold." The story begins in 1793.
- Doctor Syn (1915, republished 1998): "When this story opens there were two things of paramount interest in Dymchurch. One was Romney Marsh - visited, so the villagers whispered, by flaming Demon Riders and Jack O'Lanterns. The other was Doctor Syn, their genial, kindly, well-loved Vicar. To be sure it was a little incongruous at times to hear this godly man break out into the most ungodly refrain from the favourite song of the redoubtable Clegg. But Clegg had been hanged as a pirate - so it was said - full ten years before. How Syn's real identity was finally revealed when the King's men came to Dymchurch, and the strange part he played in the mystery of Romney Marsh, make this a decidedly unusual and thrilling story." The action takes place around the turn of the 18th century.
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I am grateful to Julian Jones for the following information.
Although not part of the Doctor Syn series, this novel does contain references to some of the characters. Published in 1927, it is a murder mystery set in the cathedral town of Dullchester, which is modelled on Rochester where Thorndike was born. The story takes place after the events described in Doctor Syn and explains among other things what became of Mipps. The following description is taken from the Cape edition.
- To reveal that the Slype is a deep, dark and sinister alley with high and terrifying walls connecting the Deanery with the cathedral in a sleepy old Kentish town, is no betrayal of the secret of this book. For that eerie and disquieting chasm played an intimate part in the disappearance of a Dean, the concealment of a Canon, and the strange conspiracy revolving about the cathedral plate.
If you wish to obtain a copy of the novel, see note below on availability.
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"The Slype"
By permission of Julian Jones
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I am grateful to Barry Marsh for the following information.
In the autumn of 1956 the American writer William Buchanan (also known as William Buck) came across a copy of The Further Adventures of Doctor Syn. As there was no American copyright at the time, he decided to take parts of Thorndike's original story and add new ideas of his own. He read a great deal about Kent and Romney Marsh, and was able to start work on his version that Christmas. The film star Elsa Lanchester provided him with a model for Mrs.Waggetts, landlady of the Ship Inn!
The book, titled "Christopher Syn" by Russell Thorndike and William Buchanan, was published in 1960 by Abelard-Schuman of New York. In 1960 Walt Disney Productions acquired the film rights to "Christopher Syn" and to the character name of Doctor Syn. Their film Dr Syn, Alias The Scarecrow was released in the UK in 1963.
Several years later Buchanan attended the first of several Days of Syn in Dymchurch and promptly apologised for his poor description of Romney Marsh. He said that he wished he could re-write the whole of "Christopher Syn" from having seen the real place rather than having conjured it up from his imagination.
If you wish to obtain a copy of the novel, see note below on availability.
In 1975 Pyramid Books published a novelization by Vic Crume of the 1963 Disney film Dr Syn, Alias The Scarecrow. It is basically an adaptation for children. The following description is taken from the book itself.
- "The Scarecrow! His name struck fear in the hearts of the king's soldiers. Dressed in tattered clothes and straw, he prowled the countryside with his band of 'Gentlemen'. To the rich, he was a smuggler and a villain. But to the poor, he was a hero! Only his trusted aides, like John Banks, the judge's son, knew his real identity. In the dark of night, from the marshes to the coast, his men would ride. Amidst thundering hooves, all England would hear the fiendish yell of - The Scarecrow!"
If you wish to obtain a copy of the novel, see note below on availability.
All of the Thorndike novels, including The Slype, were reprinted several times but are now out of print, except "Doctor Syn" which was republished in 1998 by the Romney Bookshop. It may sometimes be possible to obtain second-hand copies of the others from BookFinder.com or AddALL. Alternatively, contact Charles R.L. Power at karlpov@worldnet.att.net who may be able to supply you with the text.
The novels by Buchanan and Crume are also out of print, as far as I can ascertain. Again, it may sometimes be possible to obtain second-hand copies from BookFinder.com or AddALL.
If you know of any other sources, I would be grateful if you could inform me at DavyO@tesco.net.
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Maintained by David Ovenden
E-mail: DavyO@tesco.net
Updated 30 January 2000
Russell Thorndike's "Doctor Syn" novels
