The Enigma of Kidson

The Enigma of Kidson is a moving, thought-provoking, inspiring and hilarious biography of an inspirational and controversial teacher. Move over Mr Chips! Michael Kidson had everything that central casting requires of a legendary schoolmaster: a passion for his subject, a brilliant didactic style, a silly walk, a smelly spaniel, breath-taking rudeness, eccentric mannerisms and catchphrases, a maverick attitude towards authority, and above all, a deep empathy, loyalty and dedication towards his boys. He had an extraordinary influence on his pupils: David Cameron, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Johnnie Boden, Nicky Henderson, Sir Matthew Pinsent, Lupin and Dominic West among them. This unique portrait features recollections and vignettes of incidents in the classroom and the tutorial. As Kidson was an inspirational History Beak (master), history is a strong theme throughout the book and through Kidson’s life story we get a vivid social history of the latter part of the 20th century, where the themes of education, culture, teaching, adolescence, discipline, mentorship, pronunciation, parenting, redemption and old age are all examined.

"I didn’t expect to be moved to tears by a tribute book to an Etonian schoolmaster. But the story of Michael Kidson (1929–2015) drew me in and moved me deeply. This sprawling hotchpotch of recollections turns out to be essential reading for anyone interested in the forming of teenaged boys’ minds and, in its very haphazardness, manages to paint a remarkably full portrait of a good, kind and enigmatic bachelor schoolmaster who changed boys’ lives by civilising them and being there for them in the ways that mattered." —The Oldie

"Michael Kidson was a wonderful eccentric and an inspiring teacher. Reading this book brought back many happy memories." —David Cameron

"Nothing short of a triumph. I laughed out loud dozens of times . . . it is really, really wonderful." —Sir Matthew Pinsent

"This book, a feast of anecdotes about a remarkable schoolmaster, is a delight. Michael Kidson, for all his eccentricity, exemplified the essential character of a great teacher; read The Enigma and learn about life." —Sir Jeremy Greenstock

Jamie Blackett was born in 1964 was educated at Ludgrove, Eton—where he was tutored by Michael Kidson—and Sandhurst. After working in South Africa he joined the Coldstream Guards, serving in Northern Ireland, the First Gulf War, Hong Kong, The Falkland Islands, Zimbabwe and Germany. He returned to Galloway where he is now a farmer and a freelance journalist writing on farming and the countryside.