Alan is also known to be a serious

Alan Stewart Patonis a famous South African writer and an anti-apartheid activist. His firstnovel, Cry, The Beloved Country (1948)is a poignant tale of racial injustice that steered international attention towardsthis glaring issue. He started his career as a teacher but quit to run areformatory for young African offenders. This is what inspired him to write hisfirst book. Subsequently, he turned into this prolific writer producing 19novels between 1948 and 1989.

His works include The Land and People of SouthAfrica (1955), South Africa in Transition, written incollaboration with Dan Weiner (1956), Hope for South Africa (1959), DebbieGo Home, a collection of short stories (1961), JanHofmeyr, a biography of the former deputy Prime Minister of SouthAfrica (1965) and Too Late the Phalarope (1953). He is also known to be aserious activist and politician who spoke up against apartheid. Paton’s intentto contribute to social service led him and his wife to open a tuberculosis centernear his hometown.

He was perpetually torn between his role as a writer and an activist. Owing to his condemnation of the racial injustice during the apartheid regime, he was tried for treason in an infamous trial in 1960. His contribution both inthe literary and political arena fetched him recognition the world over.