The couple were writers on the Western series Have Gun, Will Travel, but became famous in the soap world starting in 1960 when they began writing Search for Tomorrow. They left the show in 1963 when the star, Mary Stuart, threatened to leave after they killed her character's newborn son in an attempt to increase ratings, only to find that the viewership did not rise.
They created a medical drama, General Hospital, for the ABC network in 1963; it was the first serious effort by that network to create a daytime serial. Today, General Hospital is the longest-running soap on ABC. The duo wrote the show from its inception until 1969, when they left to create a new soap, Bright Promise. They stayed with that show until it was canceled in 1972; it was at this time that they retired from writing soap operas.
Hursley continued in the ownership of the Bishop of Winchester until 1552 when it was surrendered to king Edward VI.
The lodge and park at Hursley were leased separately at this time, but the two estates were brought together again in 1630.
Richard returned to Hursley after Oliver died in 1705 and lived on as lord of the manor until he died in 1712 whereupon he was buried in the chancel of All Saints' Church, Hursley [2].