ONE of Scotland's most popular writers, David Toulmin, died yesterday at his home in Aberdeen, in his 85th year. A farm servant for most of his working life, Toulmin, whose real name was John Reid, was into his 60th year before his stories and recollections of rural life were published as Hard Shining Corn.
It was the start of a belated career which nevertheless ran to 10 volumes, including a full-scale novel, Blown Seed. Toulmin brought an authentic voice of the land to Scottish literature and his contribution was recognised in 1986 when he was awarded an honorary Master of Letters by Aberdeen University. His writing career was cut short by a stroke five years ago and yesterday he died of a heart attack. He is survived by his wife Margaret and three sons.
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