MUCH has been written about the Ulverston-born comic Stan Laurel, who rose to international fame as one half of the Laurel and Hardy film partnership, but now a new book is about to reveal the story of the man who was arguably Stan's greatest inspiration - his father.

Arthur Jefferson. Man of the Theatre and Father of Stan Laurel, out next week, tells of a flamboyant, multi-talented theatrical figure whose own contribution to the world of entertainment was overshadowed by his son's global fame.

The book, by Laurel devotee Dr Danny Lawrence, is billed as "a powerful human-interest story set against the background of the major changes in the entertainment industry over a century".

Arthur, who began his acting career as a member of a touring company based at the Theatre Royal in Whitehaven, married Madge Metcalfe from Ulverston in 1884.

Stan was born in Argyle Street on June 16,1890, and lived there with his maternal grandparents until his family settled in the north-east in 1895.

Arthur claimed his own birthday was September 12, 1862, although Dr Lawrence believes "there are reasons to suppose it could have been significantly earlier".

"His upbringing was most unusual and the book describes this in fascinating detail," he said. "His family life and circumstances are so extraordinary that they would make a wonderful subject for the TV programme Who Do You Think You Are?

"His early life reveals just how different it was to be born in Victorian England. In his case, he was both a victim and a beneficiary of the double standards and hypocritical behaviour which was characteristic of some of its outwardly upstanding men."

Arthur was a fine comic actor in his own right as well as a major influence on his son Stan - just as he in turn has been a major influence on successive generations of comic performers.

Arthur was also a successful dramatist and his plays toured the UK and abroad to packed houses for many years.

"Remarkably, the first film in which the Laurel and Hardy partnership emerged fully formed in 1927 was based on a comedy sketch which Arthur had written for the theatre in 1906," said Dr Lawrence.

"Stan had played a role in it as a teenager and it was Stan himself who wrote the screenplay for that crucial early Laurel and Hardy film, Duck Soup.

"In addition, in Arthur, we have an excellent example of the provincial theatre lessees who provided Victorians and Edwardians with their main source of entertainment.

"In the days before radio, cinema or television, that was more than enough to make Arthur a local celebrity but he added to his reputation with his flair for advertising and marketing, and numerous contributions to the life of the local community."

Dr Lawrence is also the author of the 2011 biography, The Making of Stan Laurel. Echoes of a British Boyhood.

Arthur Jefferson. Man of the Theatre and Father of

is published by Brewin Books at £16.95. Email admin@brewinbooks.com or call 01527-854228