Rubinstein, Harold Frederick

views updated

RUBINSTEIN, HAROLD FREDERICK

RUBINSTEIN, HAROLD FREDERICK (1891–1975), English solicitor and playwright. Rubinstein was the founder of the well-known London law firm of Rubinstein, Nash & Co. (now known as Rubinstein, Callingham, Polden & Gale) which has specialized in literary cases. His defense of Radclyffe Hall's novel, The Well of Loneliness, in 1928 led to his appointment as legal adviser to various publishing houses. He wrote the plays: The Dickens of Gray's Inn (1931), Israel Set Free (1936), Unearthly Gentleman (1965), and Shylock's End (1970). He also edited Four Jewish Plays (1948). His son michael rubinstein (1920–2001) continued in his father's footsteps as probably the best-known solicitor defending authors and publishers in England, acting for Penguin Books in the famous prosecution of D.H. Lawrence's Lady Chatterley's Lover for obscenity in 1960, and in many libel cases. Another son, hilary harold rubinstein (1926– ), is also a well-known London solicitor and author, whose works include The Complete Insomniac (1974).

bibliography:

odnb online for Michael Rubinstein.

More From encyclopedia.com