After serving briefly in World War I as a Second Lieutenant in the King's Own Scottish Borderers, he took a degree in modern history at Oriel College, Oxford (which, as recorded in 1066 and All That, was awarded through an aegrotat in 1922). He won a scholarship to Fettes College where he was Head Boy in 1917. Sellar was born at Golspie in Sutherland. He is best known for the 1930 book 1066 and All That, a tongue-in-cheek guide to 'all the history you can remember,' which he wrote together with R. Walter Carruthers Sellar was a Scottish humourist who wrote for Punch.

Including for the first time authentic contemporary illustrations, manuscripts and engravings, in both colour and black and white, which bring to life the satirized historical events described, and containing the original line drawings of John Reynolds, this new edition of 1066 and All That will be a source of renewed pleasure to those who already look on the text with affection, and bring equal enjoyment to those who come to the book for the first time. From the Olden Days and dashing queen Woadicea to the reigns of the Eggkings - Eggberd, Eggbreth and Eggforth - and their mysterious Eggdeath from the Dreadful Story of Stephen and his aunt Matilda (or Maud) to the Magna Charter from the Six Burglars of Calais to the Disillusion of the Monasteries and the life of Broody Mary from Williamanmary, when 'England was ruled by an orange' to the Boston Tea-Party and the annoying confusion between Napoleon and Nelson and from Fresh Attempts to Amuse Queen Victoria to the Peace to end Peace, here is the essential history of England. Here, in one volume, is 'all the History you can remember': 103 Good Things, 5 Bad Kings and 2 Genuine Dates. Sixty years on, the acclaim for this comic satire upon textbook history is undiminished, the book's freshness of wit and humour ensuring it continues to claim a place in the minds of succeeding generations. First published in 1930 in Punch, and then in book form, 1066 and All That quickly became a classic of English humour.

1066 and all that