Edward Roffe Thompson

Edward Roffe Thompson, who wrote as E.T. Raymond or Edward Raymond Thompson, (27 December 1891 – 13 October 1973) was an English author and journalist. He was the editor of John Bull magazine and wrote a number of biographies of British political figures and celebrities. He wrote an early self-help book, The Human Machine: Secrets of Success (1925).

Early life

Edward Thompson was born in Settle, Yorkshire, on 27 December 1891, the son of Edward Charles Thompson, a foreman store keeper.^[1] He received his higher education at the Victoria University of Manchester.^[2]

He married Caroline Alice (C. A.) Lejeune (1897–1973), a film reviewer for The Observer, in Chelsea in 1925^[3] and they settled in Pinner Hill in Middlesex where they built a house on open fields. They had a son, the writer and broadcaster Anthony Lejeune (1928–2018).^[4] Edward was usually known as Roffe rather than Edward in private life.^[5]

Career

Thompson wrote for and was the editor of John Bull magazine in succession to Horatio Bottomley.^[2][6] He produced a number of biographies of British political figures and celebrities, and an early self-help book, The Human Machine: Secrets of Success (1925).

Death

Thompson died in Harrow, Middlesex, on 13 October 1973.^[1] His residence at the time of his death was Lane End, Hillside Road, Pinner. He left an estate of £32,735.^[7]

Selected publications

• Uncensored Celebrities. T. Fisher Unwin, London, 1918.
• All & Sundry. T. Fisher Unwin, London, 1919.
• Mr Balfour: A Biography. Collins, London, 1920.
• Portraits of the Nineties. T. Fisher Unwin, London, 1921.
• Mr. Lloyd George: A Biography. W. Collins, 1922.
• The Man of Promise: Lord Rosebery: A Critical Study. London, c. 1923.
• Disraeli: The Alien Patriot. Hodder and Stoughton, London, 1925.
• The Human Machine: Secrets of Success. Mills & Boon, London, 1925.
• Portraits of the New Century: (The first ten years). Ernest Benn, London, 1928.
• Life's Secrets. The Human Machine. Second Series. Peppercorn Press, London, 1931.