Bernard Sachs

Bernard Sachs (1905-1985) journalist, historian and author.

Biography

Born in in Kamai, Lithuania to Abraham Saks and Hannah Rivkin and, his parents having emigrated to South Africa, he was educated at Jeppe High School in Johannesburg. His elder brother was trade unionist Solly Sachs, the father of Albie Sachs.

Contribution to South African arts and literature

Became a journalist and leader writer for the South African Jewish Times and was the founding editor of the South African Opinion and later of Trek - both influential and opinion-forming publications, particularly on cultural matters. He was also a biographer of prominent South Africans, particularly of Herman Charles Bosman, whom he knew well. Works include his novel, The Utmost Sail (1955) which is based on the life of Bosman, South African Personalities and Places (Kayor Publishers, 1959), The road to Sharpeville (Johannesburg : Dial Press ; New York : Liberty Book Club, 1961), Personalities and places: second series (Johannesburg, Dial Press, 1965) and Mist of Memory : an autobiography (London : Vallentine/Mitchell, 1973).