Lionel Abrahams (11 April 1928 – 31 May 2004) ^[1] was a South African novelist, poet, editor, critic, essayist and publisher. He was born in Johannesburg, where he lived his entire life. ^[2] He was born with cerebral palsy and had to use a wheelchair until 11 years of age. ^[1]

Best known for his poetry, he was mentored by Herman Charles Bosman, ^[1] and later edited seven volumes of Bosman's posthumously published works. ^[3] Abrahams went on to become one of the most influential figures in South African literature in his own right, ^{[4] [5]} publishing numerous poems, essays, and two novels. ^[1] Through Renoster Books, which he started in 1956, he published works by Oswald Mtshali and Mongane Wally Serote heralding the emergence of black poetry during the apartheid era. ^{[1] [6]}

An account of his important role in introducing black writers to PEN is given by his close friend, the writer Jillian Becker ^[7]

In 1986, he married Jane Fox. ^[1] That year, he was awarded honorary doctorates of literature by the University of the Witwatersrand and the University of Natal. ^[8]

Novels

• The Celibacy of Felix Greenspan: A novel in 18 stories, published by Bateleur Press, 1977
• The White Life of Felix Greenspan, published by M&G Books, 2002

Poetry

• Journal of a New Man, published by Ad Donker, 1984
• The Writer in Sand, published by Ad Donker, 1988
• A Dead Tree Full of Live Birds, published by Snail Press, 1988
• Chaos Theory of the Heart, published by Jacana Media, 2005
• To Halley's Comet, publishers unknown.
• Mqundu ga nyoko,publishers unknown

Works about Lionel Abrahams

• Lionel Abrahams: A Reader, ed. Patrick Cullinan, published by Ad Donker, 1988
• A Writer in Stone: South African Writers Celebrate the 70th Birthday of Lionel Abrahams, ed. G. Friedman and Roy Blumenthal, published by David Philip, 1998

References

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