Harry Bloom

Harry Saul Bloom (1913-1981) was an advocate, journalist, novelist, dramatist and lecturer.

Usually referred to simply as Harry Bloom in sources.

Biography

Harry Saul Bloom Birth: January 01, 1913 Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa Death: July 28, 1981 Canterbury, Kent, Engeland, United Kingdom

Born Harry Saul Bloom in Johannesburg on 1 January, 1913, he was educated at the University of the Witwatersrand and subsequently became an advocate in Johannesburg. He married Beryl Gordon in 1940 and worked as a war correspondent in England during the Second World War. Involved in the struggle in the 1950s, he counted Guy Routh and Bram Fischer among his friends. During the state of emergency that followed the Sharpville massacre in 1960, he was detained and in 1963 went into exile in England. In 1967, he became lecturer in law at the University of Kent and married a second time to Sonia Copeland. He died of a stroke in 1981 at the age of 68. Best known for the novel Transvaal Episode (1959), dealing with township life and unrest in the 1950s. Also wrote Whittaker's Wife (1962).

Contribution to SA theatre, film, media and/or performance

Best known theatrical works include the book for the seminal musical King Kong (1959) and the book for the musical Mr Paljas (Union Artists 1963*?).