Cyril Ransome (1851-1897), the father of Arthur Ransome died on 24 June 1897 at Rugby, when Arthur was 13. Arthur was then at a prep school, Old College, Windermere, where the headmaster’s wife told Arthur of his father’s death. Arthur went to Rugby School that year, but did not get a scholarship, which he knew was a disappointment to his father. Cyril and Edith Ransome had four children: Arthur (the oldest), Cicely, Geoffrey, and Joyce.