He said, one has to learn that painting well - in the academic and technical sense - comes right at the bottom of the list. I mean, you've got that ability. So have thousands.

Nine months and two weeks later Gladys gave birth to John Robert Fowles. With his second wife Sarah by his side Fowles died 5 miles from Lyme Regis in Axminster Hospital on 5 November 2005.

Later fictional works include The Ebony Tower Daniel Martin Mantissa and A Maggot. This was followed by The French Lieutenant's Woman a period romance set in Lyme Regis Dorset another location in which Fowles was deeply absorbed.