Six things you did not know about Alan Paton

If you went past Google today you will have noticed a caricature of a grey-haired man in deep thought, with a notepad in front of him.

That is of course celebrated late author and anti-apartheid activist Alan Paton who the search engine pay homage to on the 115^th anniversary of his birth by featuring him as Thursday’s “Google Doodle”.

Paton dedicated much of his life’s work to fighting an unjust regime through active involvement and through literature as his best-selling novel Cry, the Beloved Country spurred two film, most notably one of the same title starring Denzel Washington.

He passed away in 1988, six years before the downfall of apartheid South Africa and we have compiled a list of some interesting facts about this great writer and freedom fighter.

1. He was a founding member of the Liberal Party, formed in 1953, which he was elected its leader two years later as he succeeded Margaret Ballinger. He remained the party’s leader until apartheid laws lead to its undoing in 1968 as new legislation meant that multi-racial political parties were banned.

2. Cry, the Beloved Country was his first novel, inspired by social injustice in the country, it was published in 1948, which is coincidentally the year in which apartheid laws were placed in full effect. The book sold millions of copies across the world.

3. He taught at Ixopo High School for White Students, after which he was appointed  principal at Diepkloof Reformatory for Young Offenders. His 13 years there influenced his social activism and political involvement.

4. Paton volunteered service during World War II but was denied and on the very same year the war ended, he travelled across Europe visiting correctional facilities.

5. After his first wife Dorrie Francis Lusted died in 1969, he published a book Kontakion for You Departed based on their relationship.

6. He has been immortalised in South Africa through a literary award named in his honour, the Alan Paton Award, given to outstanding works of non-fiction.

Also read: The top 10 Alan Paton quotes we can all learn from