A writer of extraordinary versatility, William Plomer earned in his lifetime a reputation as a novelist, poet, writer of short and longer stories, editor, broadcaster, librettist (in collaboration with Benjamin Britten), and an indefatigable, if...

William Plomer was born in South Africa of English parents, but worked abroad for most of his life, first in Japan and then in England. The literary skills, emotional tendencies, and intellectual attitudes that he acquired in South Africa, however,...

In his final decade the novelist, biographer, and poet William Plomer attained the kind of recognition generally conferred on establishment literary figures: he was made a fellow of the Royal Society, a Commander of the British Empire, and president of...