Imagine being taught English by a teacher who would later become a world-renowned fantasy novelist—someone whose books would captivate millions. That’s exactly what happened to Mike O’Connor, a former student of Sir Philip Pullman, the mastermind behind the His Dark Materials and The Book of Dust trilogies. But here’s where it gets fascinating: long before Sir Philip’s stories sold over 49 million copies, he was shaping young minds in the very city where his epic tales are set—Oxford. And this is the part most people miss: his teaching days weren’t just about grammar and literature; they were a blend of creativity, discipline, and unforgettable moments.
During the 1970s and 80s, Sir Philip taught at schools like Marston Middle School, where Mike O’Connor recalls him as a “fantastic and truly engaging” educator. But here’s the controversial bit: while Sir Philip’s classes were brimming with creativity—like writing the annual school play, which Mike believes were early glimpses of his storytelling genius—he was also strict. Mike remembers a time when he and his friends were caught misbehaving, and Sir Philip handed out 500 lines of punishment, keeping them in during lunch. “It doesn’t sound like much,” Mike admits, “but it took half a week and was pretty tough on the arms.”
Sir Philip’s impact extended beyond the classroom. Mike starred in one of his Arabian Golden Age-themed plays, where the highlight was getting a custard pie in the face—a moment Mike still cherishes as “loads of fun and incredibly creative.” Decades later, when Mike bumped into Sir Philip during a radio interview, he was touched that his former teacher still remembered him. And this is the part that sparks debate: Oxford, a city teeming with writers and academics, was a place where fame felt almost ordinary. Yet, even if Sir Philip hadn’t become a literary giant, Mike insists, “We’d all still remember him fondly.”
Fast forward to today, Sir Philip’s sixth and final book in the Lyra Silvertongue series, The Rose Field, is set to release, following Lyra’s journey into her early 20s. The character, first introduced at age 11 in the 1995 bestseller Northern Lights, has since become a cultural icon. Mike’s own daughter, a fan of the series, even visited Oxford Botanic Garden to see Lyra’s Bench, a key location in the books. Here’s a thought-provoking question: What if your teacher became a global sensation? Would you remember them differently? Share your thoughts in the comments—let’s discuss!
