Lionel Abrahams
Lionel Abrahams (11 April 1928 – 31 May 2004) was a South African novelist, poet, editor, critic, essayist and publisher. He was born in Johannesburg, where he lived his entire life. Best known for his poetry, he was mentored by Herman Charles Bosman, and later edited seven volumes of Bosman's posthumously published works.
Lionel Abrahams
- Name
- Lionel Abrahams
- Born
- 11 April 1928
- Birthplace
- Pretoria, South Africa
- Died
- 31 May 2004
- Occupation
- Poet
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Lionel Abrahams (11 April 1928 – 31 May 2004) was a South African novelist, poet, editor, critic, essayist and publisher. He was born in Johannesburg, where he lived his entire life. Best known for his poetry, he was mentored by Herman Charles Bosman, and later edited seven volumes of Bosman's posthumously published works.
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In this article
Biography
Biography
Abrahams went on to become one of the most influential figures in South African literature in his own right, publishing numerous poems, essays, and two novels. Through Renoster Books, which he started in 1956, he published works by Oswald Mtshali and Mongane Wally Serote heralding the emergence of black poetry during the apartheid era. An account of his important role in introducing black writers to PEN is given by his close friend, the writer Jillian Becker In 1986, he married Jane Fox. That year, he was awarded honorary doctorates of literature by the University of the Witwatersrand and the University of Natal.
Key facts
Key facts
• Name — Lionel Abrahams • Born — 11 April 1928 • Birthplace — Pretoria, South Africa • Died — 31 May 2004 • Occupation — Poet
Novels
Novels
• The Celibacy of Felix Greenspan: A novel in 18 stories, published by Bateleur Press, 1977 • The White Life of Felix Greenspan, published by M&G Books, 2002
Poetry
Poetry
• Journal of a New Man, published by Ad Donker, 1984 • The Writer in Sand, published by Ad Donker, 1988 • A Dead Tree Full of Live Birds, published by Snail Press, 1988 • Chaos Theory of the Heart, published by Jacana Media, 2005 • To Halley's Comet, publishers unknown.
Works about Lionel Abrahams
Works about Lionel Abrahams
• Lionel Abrahams: A Reader, ed. Patrick Cullinan, published by Ad Donker, 1988 • A Writer in Stone: South African Writers Celebrate the 70th Birthday of Lionel Abrahams, ed. G. Friedman and Roy Blumenthal, published by David Philip, 1998
Life and career
Dated record
Life and career
The full dated record · 2 entries
1928
Lionel Abrahams was born on 11 April 1928.
2004
Lionel Abrahams died on 31 May 2004.
Primary material
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reference work
- “Lionel Abrahams”, English Wikipedia, consulted as further reading
Reputable secondary · Wikipedia
authority record
- Wikidata, structured authority record Q4120389: Lionel Abrahams
General reference · Wikidata
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