Hugh Davie-Martin McCutcheon, writer; born July 24, 1909, died
June 30, 1999
Hugh was the elder son of Alexander McCutcheon, late depute county clerk and treasurer, Renfrewshire County Council. He was educated at Greenock Academy, Paisley Grammar School, and Glasgow University, where he qualified in Scots Law.
He served his legal apprenticeship with Glasgow lawyers Messrs Hill and Hoggan, solicitors to the university. He also served on the staff of Renfrewshire County Council until 1944, when he was appointed town clerk of Renfrew Town Council. Awarded the Coronation Medal in 1953, he retired in 1974. In 1937, he married Muriel O'Garr who died in 1987. There were
no children.
He was an active member of Paisley Burns Club and of Paisley's Bohemian Club. But his literary tastes led him far beyond amateur status to be the popular author of many published novels, newspaper articles, and short stories. His subject matter ranged from Second World War adventure to many crime novels.
Latterly, with the pseudonym Griselda Wilding, he entered the lucrative world of women's fiction. Some of his crime novels were translated into European and Scandinavian languages. One saw the light on television as the film Pit of Darkness, not infrequently shown on BBC. He was a member of the Crimewriters' Association.
In his time a popular and witty after-dinner speaker, he was an honorary member and Paul Harris Fellow of Troon Rotary club. A keen golfer, he was a member at Royal Troon and Erskine. He is survived by his brother, the Rev George McCutcheon.
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