Atkins, (Arthur) Harold (Foweraker) 1910-

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ATKINS, (Arthur) Harold (Foweraker) 1910-

(J. P. Jackson)

PERSONAL: Born March 27, 1910, in Nottingham, England; son of Horace George and Grace Adeline (Foweraker) Atkins; married Lily Buxton (in social services), September 17, 1938 (died, November 1998). Education: Balliol College, Oxford, B.A., 1938, M.A., 1942; further graduate study at London School of Economics and Political Science. Politics: Social Democrat. Religion: Church of England. Hobbies and other interests: Archaeology, history, English literature, music, theatre, ballet, World War II espionage and resistance movements, science.

ADDRESSES: Home—2 Hallgate, Blackheath Park, London SE3, England.

CAREER: Nottingham Journal, Nottingham, England, reporter, 1928, scientific and radio correspondent, 1929-35, assistant drama critic, 1931; Reuters, London, England, subeditor at general news desk, 1938-39; Daily Dispatch, Manchester, England, subeditor, 1940-41; Manchester Guardian, Manchester, foreign subeditor, 1941-44; Evening News, London, special writer, 1944-49, political correspondent, 1944-45; Star, London, news and diary writer, 1949-51; Ministry of National Insurance, London, headquarters press and public relations officer, 1951-53; Daily Telegraph, London, foreign subeditor, 1954-55, features subeditor, 1955-56, arts and leader page subeditor and contributor to and subeditor of "London Day by Day," 1956-76, book reviewer, 1956-81, and assistant theatre critic, 1962-81; freelance writer, 1976—. Press officer for National Assistance Board, 1951-53; deputy director of Visual Education Research Group, 1956-59.

MEMBER: National Union of Journalists (life member), National Liberal Club, Oxford Union Club (life member).

WRITINGS:

Sinister Smith (novel), Duckworth (London, England), 1938.

(With Archie Newman) Beecham Stories, Robson Books (London, England), 1978.

(With Peter Cotes) The Barbirollis: A Musical Marriage, Robson Books (London, England), 1983.

Contributor of articles and reviews to magazines, including Socialist Commentary, Contemporary Review, and British Weekly, and to newspapers (sometimes under pseudonym J. P. Jackson).

WORK IN PROGRESS: With Peter Cotes, a short life of John Barbirolli, former conductor of Le Halle Orchestra and the New York Philharmonic Orchestra.

SIDELIGHTS: In addition to having a distinguished career in British journalism and public relations, Harold Atkins has also published in book form. His first work, Sinister Smith, appeared during the late 1930s. More recently, however, he is better known for his 1983 collaboration with Peter Cotes on a biography of famous British orchestra conductor Sir John Barbirolli and his oboist wife, the former Evelyn Rothwell: The Barbirollis: A Musical Marriage. Publishers Weekly reviewer Genevieve Stuttaford described The Barbirollis as an "affectionate, intimate biography," while a writer for Choice appreciated the "masterful juggling of details of the two musicians' lives."