Lionel Abrahams
South African novelist, poet, editor, critic, essayist and publisher (1928–2004) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Lionel Abrahams (11 April 1928 – 31 May 2004)[1] was a South African novelist, poet, editor, critic, essayist and publisher. He was born in Johannesburg, where he lived his entire life.[2] He was born with cerebral palsy and had to use a wheelchair until 11 years of age.[1]
Best known for his poetry, he was mentored by Herman Charles Bosman,[1] and later edited seven volumes of Bosman's posthumously published works.[3] Abrahams went on to become one of the most influential figures in South African literature in his own right,[4][5] publishing numerous poems, essays, and two novels.[1] 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.[1][6]
An account of his important role in introducing black writers to PEN is given by his close friend, the writer Jillian Becker[7]
In 1986, he married Jane Fox.[1] That year, he was awarded honorary doctorates of literature by the University of the Witwatersrand and the University of Natal.[8]
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
- 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.
- Mqundu ga nyoko, publishers unknown
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
References
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