Eric Knight

Eric Knight was born April 10, 1897 in Yorkshire, England. This lush countryside was the setting he chose for Lassie's adventures. Knight grew up in the mill towns where stories of "come-home" dogs were common. He was raised by an aunt and uncle and worked and went to school as a youngster part time. Immigrating to the US in 1912, he settled in Philadelphia. He studied music and art and attended the Cambridge Latin School in Massachusettes.

Always a patriot, he joined the Princess Pat Regiment in Toronto, Canada to fight for his beloved Yorkshire in 1917. His only two brothers enlisted in the Pennsylvania National Guard. They were killed on the same day in 1919.

([Source][1])

[1]: http://www.lassiecomehome.info/