James Herriot (1917-1995), best known by his pen name of "Alf Wight", passed away on February 23, 1995 at the age of 78. He was an English veterinary surgeon and author best remembered for his books about animals and their owners. He was educated at Glasgow Veterinary College and initially served his apprenticeship in a practice in Hessle, Yorkshire. After leaving the practice in 1939, Herriot joined the Royal Air Force and served as a flight lieutenant in the veterinary corps until 1946. Herriot wrote several books about his experiences as a veterinary surgeon, including the semi-autobiographical All Creatures Great and Small, which first appeared in 1970, and went on to sell over 2 million copies worldwide. The book series was adapted for BBC television in 1978, becoming one of the network's most popular ever sitcoms. Herriot was awarded the OBE in 1983 and a CBE in 1991.