Alex Atkinson

Alex Atkinson (1916 – 1962) was an English journalist, novelist and playwright who is best remembered for his collaborative works with the illustrator Ronald Searle.

He was born in Liverpool, where he began his career as an actor. In 1935 Atkinson’s play Ferry Inn was produced at the Liverpool Playhouse. Atkinson gained considerable experience as a repertory actor and began writing for Punch in 1948. In 1950 he ended his acting career to devote his time to writing.

In 1953 Atkinson’s play Four Winds was produced in the west end. That same year saw the release of the film Wheel of Fate, which Atkinson co-wrote with Guy Elmes.

In 1958 The Big City or the New Mayhew was published. Written by Atkinson and illustrated by Ronald Searle, this collection of humorous character studies had appeared previously in Punch. These studies were based upon the journalism of Henry Mayhew, particularly his famous survey London Labour and the London Poor which appeared in the Morning Chronicle newspaper, throughout the 1840s.

In 1960 Atkinson moved to America to write for Holiday magazine. He died in Philadelphia in 1962.

In his 1957 article Over Seventy P. G. Wodehouse, lamenting the decline of the humorist, wrote:

“I want to see an A. P. Herbert on every street corner, an Alex Atkinson in every local.”