Mr. Toad, of Toad Hall, is one of the main characters in the 1908 novel The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame.
Mr. Toad | |
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The Wind in the Willows character | |
First appearance | The Wind in the Willows The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad |
Created by | Kenneth Grahame |
Portrayed by | Peter Harryson (stage adaptation) |
Voiced by | Eric Blore (1949 film) David Jason (1983 film, 1984 TV series) Charles Nelson Reilly (1987 film) Rik Mayall (1995 film, 1996 sequel) |
In-universe information | |
Species | Toad |
Gender | Male |
Occupation | The Squire of Toad Hall |
Nationality | English |
The inspiration for Mr. Toad's wayward mischievousness and boastfulness was Kenneth Grahame's only child Alastair: a family friend, Constance Smedley, overheard Grahame telling Alastair the exploits of Toad as a bedtime story, and noted that "Alastair's own tendency to exult in his exploits was gently satirized in Mr. Toad".[1] Colonel Francis Cecil Ricardo (1852–1924), the first owner of a car in Cookham in Berkshire, where Grahame wrote the books is also thought to have been an influence. Other suggestions include Walter Cunliffe, 1st Baron Cunliffe.[2]
Toad is the squire of the English countryside estate Toad Hall, which he inherited from his family. Toad is a jovial and friendly figure but he is often ruled by his conceit and impulsiveness which often gets him into trouble. Toad is known for growing obsessed with various activities and then eventually growing bored of them. In the novel Toad becomes obsessed with motor cars after one runs him and his friends off the road in his caravan. Toad then proceeds to purchase multiple motor cars which he crashes. Toad is a passionate driver and has crashed at least eight cars.[3]
A. A. Milne's 1929 play Toad of Toad Hall was based on the book.[citation needed] William Horwood wrote several children's novels, Tales of the Willows, continuing the original story.[4]