John David Blake ButlerBurke's Irish Family Records, ed. Hugh Montgomery-Massingberd, Burke's Peerage Ltd, 1976, p. 194Hammer Complete: The Films, The Personnel, The Company, Howard Maxford, 2019, p. 90 (22 October 1924 – 15 April 1981) was an English actor best known for his role as the lecherous chief librarian Mr. Wainwright during the first and third series of Last of the Summer Wine in 1973 and 1976 respectively.Bright and Ross (2000), p. 102
Background Butler was the second son of FitzWalter Butler (1889–1979), of Grantham, Lincolnshire, and Doris Emma (d. 1950), daughter of Robert Pollok, of Cavendish Park, Barrow-in-Furness. The Butler family were Irish landed gentry; Blake Butler's line, prominent in County Clare, descended from James Butler, 10th Baron Dunboyne.Burke's Irish Family Records, ed. Hugh Montgomery-Massingberd, Burke's Peerage Ltd, 1976, pp. 192–194Burke's Peerage, Baronetage and Knightage, 107th edition, vol. 1, Burke's Peerage Ltd, 2003, p. 1212
Career
In addition to his work on Last of the Summer Wine, Butler made guest appearances on such programmes as Dad's Army, Doctor at Large, Bless This House, The Good Life, Paul Temple, George and Mildred, Grange Hill and, in 1967, Crossroads playing assistant manager Maurice Raine.
Filmography
Year Title Role Notes 1961 Rob Roy Owen 5 episodes 1964 Esther Waters Mr. Ward 3 episodes1966 Death Is a Woman Lift Operator film1967 The Mini-Affair Customer film1969 Lock Up Your Daughters Faithful film1972 Turnbull's Finest Half-Hour Bernard Pratt 5 episodes1973–1976 Last of the Summer Wine Mr. Wainwright (the librarian) 5 episodes1978 Grange Hill Mr. Rankin (the Biology teacher) Episode: #1.51978 A Sharp Intake of Breath Hotel Guest Episode: "Seven Year Hitch"1978 Rumpole of the Bailey Mr. Thistleton Episode: "Rumpole and the Heavy Brigade"
Personal life Butler lived at 33, Bath Road, Bedford Park, London, when he died on 15 April 1981 at age 56.Gov.uk Wills and Probate 1858–1996, Surname "Butler", Year of Death "1981", 1981 record page 1316, "BUTLER, John David Blake, of 33, Bath Road, London, W.4, died 15 April 1981"Debrett's Peerage and Baronetage, ed. Patrick Montague-Smith, Debrett's Ltd, 1980, p. 396
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