P.G. Wodehouse, naive in politics, was precise and prolific in his writing, and left a legacy of the unforgettable characters of Bertie Wooster and his valet, Jeeves.

A.A. Milne, whose children's books would long outlive his more serious writing, was savage in condemning Wodehouse's mistakes.

Jeeves vs. Pooh

P.G. Wodehouse, creator of the ultimate literary butler, and A.A. Milne, creator of Winnie-the Pooh, started as friends in Edwardian London. But their falling out in 1941 revealed something essential about the men--and their lasting creations.

By James Parker

December 26, 2004

E-mail|
Reprints|

Text size – +

Few events in the annals of light radio can have received worse reviews than the "talk" recorded by P.G. Wodehouse and broadcast on June 28, 1941. Within days, in newspapers across Britain, the beloved author of "Leave It to Psmith" and "Right Ho, Jeeves" had been called everything from a "performing flea" to a "Nazi stooge." His harmless, creaking upper-class ... (Full article: 1748 words)