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The Benn Inheritance: The Story of A Radical Family
Tony Benn, throughout his career, has been one of the most controversial and enigmatic characters in British politics. He is considered by some to be a dangerous and destructive radical and by others the true keeper of the Labour Party's conscience; but he describes himself as 'a socialist whose political commitment owes much more to the teaching of Jesus than the writing of Marx. In this statement, he acknowledges two strong influences: independent radicalism and dissenting non-conformity. Both are string family characteristics.
This book is about Tony Benn and his family heritage. From the Rev. Julius Benn, who was murdered by a deranged son, the author traces the Benn family through a hundred years, during almost all of which there has been a representative in Parliament, to Tony Benn who, having rejected his distinguished father's peerage, became the scourge of the Labour Party's right wing. The book shows that Tony Benn's thinking is rooted firmly in the traditions and beliefs of his ancestors.
This book is about Tony Benn and his family heritage. From the Rev. Julius Benn, who was murdered by a deranged son, the author traces the Benn family through a hundred years, during almost all of which there has been a representative in Parliament, to Tony Benn who, having rejected his distinguished father's peerage, became the scourge of the Labour Party's right wing. The book shows that Tony Benn's thinking is rooted firmly in the traditions and beliefs of his ancestors.
228 pages, Hardcover
Published January 1, 1984
3 people want to read
About the author
Sydney Higgins
23 books6 followersWhat's in a name?
Sydney Higgins has been a successful writer and educationalist for many years. When Cassell published his early books, the managing director insisted his name should be modified to 'D.S. Higgins' because, he said, 'Sydney Higgins' sounded common. The first book to be published under that name 'Sydney Higgins' was 'The Benn Inheritance - The Story of a Radical Family'. After that, his writing name became unimportant because when he was appointed as Senior Inspector of English Language and Drama, he was not permitted to publish anything under his own name - whether it was 'D.S.', 'Sydney' or 'Syd'. So he became a ghost, writing books including 'Stroll On' for Tony Booth, 'Piper Alpha - A Survivor's Story' for Ed Punchard, 'The Pirelli Book of Motor Racing Heroes' for John Surtees and 'Nicola: A Second Chance to Live' for Nicola Owen.
In the early 1990s, when Margaret Thatcher and her Conservative Government seemed to believe that drama in education was a left-wing plot, he was fortunate enough to be given early retirement and fled with his wife to Italy. There he became a Professor of English, spending much time studying medieval drama and writing sure-fire non-sellers on subjects including 'The Staging of Cornish Medieval Drama'. He also founded and still directs his own theatrical company that specialises in musicals, including several for which he has written the book and the lyrics. He and his wife love travelling and together have written a two-part guidebook, 'Staying in the Châteaux Hotels of France'.
Some time ago, he was made the 'Citizen of the Year' in the Italian town where he lives and works. The citation reads: 'Professor Higgins is recognised for having brought the town to the attention of the world by his organisation of the annual International Conference and Festival of Medieval European Drama.' It is an honour and a title that he cherishes, but, as he has said, 'If you're born with the name "Higgins", you really have to become a professor even if it's only so when a certain kind of person, having once seen 'My Fair Lady' and hearing my name's 'Higgins', is wont to ask gleefully, 'You must be Professor Higgins!', I can reply, 'Yes, I am!'
Sydney Higgins has been a successful writer and educationalist for many years. When Cassell published his early books, the managing director insisted his name should be modified to 'D.S. Higgins' because, he said, 'Sydney Higgins' sounded common. The first book to be published under that name 'Sydney Higgins' was 'The Benn Inheritance - The Story of a Radical Family'. After that, his writing name became unimportant because when he was appointed as Senior Inspector of English Language and Drama, he was not permitted to publish anything under his own name - whether it was 'D.S.', 'Sydney' or 'Syd'. So he became a ghost, writing books including 'Stroll On' for Tony Booth, 'Piper Alpha - A Survivor's Story' for Ed Punchard, 'The Pirelli Book of Motor Racing Heroes' for John Surtees and 'Nicola: A Second Chance to Live' for Nicola Owen.
In the early 1990s, when Margaret Thatcher and her Conservative Government seemed to believe that drama in education was a left-wing plot, he was fortunate enough to be given early retirement and fled with his wife to Italy. There he became a Professor of English, spending much time studying medieval drama and writing sure-fire non-sellers on subjects including 'The Staging of Cornish Medieval Drama'. He also founded and still directs his own theatrical company that specialises in musicals, including several for which he has written the book and the lyrics. He and his wife love travelling and together have written a two-part guidebook, 'Staying in the Châteaux Hotels of France'.
Some time ago, he was made the 'Citizen of the Year' in the Italian town where he lives and works. The citation reads: 'Professor Higgins is recognised for having brought the town to the attention of the world by his organisation of the annual International Conference and Festival of Medieval European Drama.' It is an honour and a title that he cherishes, but, as he has said, 'If you're born with the name "Higgins", you really have to become a professor even if it's only so when a certain kind of person, having once seen 'My Fair Lady' and hearing my name's 'Higgins', is wont to ask gleefully, 'You must be Professor Higgins!', I can reply, 'Yes, I am!'
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