Educated at Crescent Range Theological College and Victoria University, Manchester, Hocking began his career as a land surveyor in 1878. The son of a Methodist minister, Hocking soon followed in his father's footsteps and was ordained as a minister in 1884. Over the next three years he preached in various parts of England until 1887 when he published his first book, Harry Penhale: The Trial of His Faith, which was well-received. That year he also married Annie Brown and they had five children, one a son who was killed in the war in 1918. Hocking's first published success was Jabez Easterbrook which appeared in 1890. Ill health forced Hocking to retire from the clergy in 1909. He spent time traveling in the Middle East and produced nearly a hundred works, many of which contained a religious element although he did produce some excellent mysteries. His other works include All Men Are Liars (1895), The Birthright (1897), The Purple Robe (1900), Greater Love (1903), The Jesuit (1911), The Pomp of Yesterday (1918), Rosemary Carew (1925), The Eternal Challenge (1929), Caleb's Conquest (1932), The Squire of Zabuloc (1935) and Deep Calleth Deep (1936). |
