Ruskin Bond: 8 lesser known facts about the beloved writer

May 19, 2023 Surabhi Rawat

Ruskin Bond

On Ruskin Bond's 89th birthday today, here we list down some lesser known facts about the writer that everyone should know. Canva

His father chose his name

Ruskin was Edith Clarke and Aubrey Bond's first child. While he was named Owen Ruskin Bond at his birth, it was his father who had chosen the name Ruskin for him. Canva

He spent his childhood in various parts of India

Being an Anglo-Indian, the author spent his intial childhood days in Jamnagar in Gujarat where his father taught to kids from the royal family. Later, Ruskin spent his childhood and schooling days in Delhi, Shimla, Mussoorie and Dehradun. Canva

His parents were separated

Ruskin was just four-years-old when his parents got separated. His mother later got married to an Indian. Canva

Ruskin Bond lost his father when was 10 years old

As a child, Ruskin Bond was close to his father Aubrey Bond. However, his father died due to Malaria when Ruskin was just 10 years old. Canva

He wrote his first short story at 16

Ruskin Bond was 16 years old when he wrote his first short story, which was titled 'Untouchable'. Canva

He decided to become a writer at 20!

Ruskin Bond was in England for four years, and it was during this time that he decided that he wanted to be in India and become a writer. Canva

He won the John Llewellyn Rhys Prize for his first novel

It was during his four-years stay in England when Ruskin Bond wrote his first novel 'The Room on the Roof', for which he won the John Llewellyn Rhys Prize in 1956. Canva

For more stories...

Check out the Books section on The Times of India's website. Canva

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