Terence S. Underwood, A Vanishing Breed
Artvoice has published a number of letters sent to us by a dapper gentleman named Terence S. Underwood, or Ted, as he prefers to be called by friends. Underwood’s life story—he’s in his eighties—would make a sweeping cinematic spectacle to rival Lawrence of Arabia.
Today he dropped by for a brief chat, to share some photographs of himself and his father in late 1930s India, where his dad served as an official for Britain. He also shared some pictures of his lovely wife and children, and some pieces he’d written for various hunting magazines over the years.
He was quick to point out that he rarely hunted “the big cats,” but he had stumbled upon the two leopards above while they were mating. They charged, and he replied. He also spoke about the importance of conservation, and preservation of habitat. He added that war not only destroys human habitat, but also affects animals—a fact too often ignored.
Underwood served as an officer in the British Army in Palestine, and he has a keen perspective on current events, formed through years of experience. He is passionate when speaking or writing about the United States, his adopted home. He also has some tales to share that would make Ernest Hemingway envious.
This brief but astonishing account, published years ago in Outdoor Life is but one example of his adventurous exploits.
