John Atkins (writer)
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John Alfred Atkins (26 May, 1916 – 31 March, 2009) was a prolific British writer, playwright, poet and novelist.
He was the author of many literary bibliographies of 20th century writers (including J. B. Priestley, Graham Greene, Arthur Koestler and Ernest Hemingway), an analysis of The British Spy Novel and the multi-volume Sex in Literature series.
Atkins graduated from the Bristol University in 1938. Subsequently he worked for Mass Observation and later as Assistant and Literary Editor of the left-wing newspaper Tribune, before his call up for war service arrived in 1943. At Tribune he place was taken by George Orwell.
After the war, he worked as a critic specialising in analysing the work of 20th century writers. He taught in different parts of the world, including Sudan and Poland, and his erudition and breadth of knowledge was immense. He wrote several books for Calder Publishing and other publishers and for the last thirty years of his life was spent quietly in East Anglia.
Bibliography
- Sex in Literature: The Erotic Impulse in Literature, Calder & Boyars, (1970-1982) ISBN 039417769X (Grove edition)
- Sex in Literature was illustrated by Brian Paine.
- The British Spy Novel: Styles in Treachery
- The art of Ernest Hemingway; his work and personality
- Sex in Literature: v. 2
- Les Mémoires du futur : 1960-3750 'Tomorrow revealed'
