Background
He was born at Street Stephen-in-Brannel, Cornwall, to James Hocking, part owner of a tin mine, and his wife Elizabeth.
author Church minister Cornish novelist
He was born at Street Stephen-in-Brannel, Cornwall, to James Hocking, part owner of a tin mine, and his wife Elizabeth.
In 1884, he was ordained as a minister. Working in different parts of England over the next few years, he wrote his first novel, Harry Penhale - The Trial of his Faith, while in London in 1887. He regarded fiction as a highly effective medium for conveying his Christian message to the public, and combined his writing with his church duties, until ill health forced him to resign from the ministry in 1909.
His last pastoral charge was the large and important United Free Church at Woodford Essex, which he was instrumental in having rebuilt by the advanced arts and crafts architect, Charles Harrison Townsend.
On his recovery, he found himself a much sought-after preacher across Britain, and he travelled extensively in the Middle East. He continued to write, and over the course of his career, he was the author of nearly 100 books
Although largely forgotten now, he was tremendously popular in his day. A son, Cuthert, was killed in World War I.
Through his mother he was related to the biblical scholar John Kitto.
Hocking features as one of the main characters in the 2009 play Surfing Tommies by Cornish playwright, Alan M. Kent.
Joseph Hocking"s ashes were buried in the churchyard of Street Stephen-in-Brannel.
(First edition bound in mustard colored cloth with leather...)