R. W. Johnson (born 1943) is a British journalist, political scientist, and historian who lives in South Africa. [1] Born Richard "Bill" William in England, he was educated at Natal University and Oxford University, as a Rhodes Scholar. He was a fellow in politics at Magdalen College, Oxford, for 26 years, [2] and remains an emeritus fellow. His 2015 book Look Back in Laughter: Oxford's Postwar Golden Age is a memoir of his years at Magdalen, including his work with college president Keith Griffin to rescue the college's finances and buildings. [3] In reviewing his memoirs, The Economist described Johnson as a "romantic contrarian liberal". [4]
On his return to South Africa in 1995, Johnson became director of the Helen Suzman Foundation in Johannesburg until 2001. [5] He has been a South Africa correspondent for the London Sunday Times and also written for the London Review of Books [6] His articles for the LRB generally cover South African and to a lesser extent Zimbabwean affairs. In early March 2009, Johnson injured his left foot while swimming. It became infected with necrotizing fasciitis, [7] and his leg was amputated above the knee. [8]
R. W. Johnson (born 1943) is a British journalist, political scientist, and historian who lives in South Africa. [1] Born Richard "Bill" William in England, he was educated at Natal University and Oxford University, as a Rhodes Scholar. He was a fellow in politics at Magdalen College, Oxford, for 26 years, [2] and remains an emeritus fellow. His 2015 book Look Back in Laughter: Oxford's Postwar Golden Age is a memoir of his years at Magdalen, including his work with college president Keith Griffin to rescue the college's finances and buildings. [3] In reviewing his memoirs, The Economist described Johnson as a "romantic contrarian liberal". [4]
On his return to South Africa in 1995, Johnson became director of the Helen Suzman Foundation in Johannesburg until 2001. [5] He has been a South Africa correspondent for the London Sunday Times and also written for the London Review of Books [6] His articles for the LRB generally cover South African and to a lesser extent Zimbabwean affairs. In early March 2009, Johnson injured his left foot while swimming. It became infected with necrotizing fasciitis, [7] and his leg was amputated above the knee. [8]