George Henry Johnston | [stub] |
cartoonist, painter and illustrator, novelist and journalist, was born in Caulfield, Victoria. While studying in Melbourne with Sam Atyeo (and possibly at the National Gallery of Victoria) he drew cartoons for several publications including the Bulletin and Smith's Weekly. He also did illustrations for the Australian Weekend Book and other publications. Original cartoons in Mitchell Library include one of 1933 (Mitchell Library PXD 764). Then he turned to journalism and travelled the world for many years as a foreign and war correspondent, living and working in 46 countries, including Tibet, China, and Burma. After the war he settled in London as editor of the European bureau of Australian Associated Newspapers but resigned in 1954 in order 'to gamble on life as a free-lance novelist'. He lived on the island of Hydra in Greece with his Australian-born wife, Charmian Clift, and their three children. Best-known as an author of war books, travel books, novels, and thrillers, including My Brother Jack and a slightly autobiographical detective story Death Takes Small Bites.
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Joan Kerr.
Details
Also known as: | Johnston, George |
Gender: | Male |
Birth: | Date:1912-07-20Place:Caulfield, Melbourne, Vic. |
Period active: | Dates:c. 1933 - 1854 |
Death: | Date:1970-07-22Place:Mosman, Sydney, NSW |
Medium: | Black & white art |
Medium: | Painting |
Collection: | Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW |
Training: | Place:National Galler of Victoria School, Melbourne, Vic.Note:Unconfirmed |
Training: | Place:Sam Atyeo, Melbourne, Vic |
Associate: | Atyeo, Sam |
Family member: | Person:Clift, CharmianRelation:spouse |
Residence: | Place:London, England, UK |
Residence: | Place:Melbourne, Vic. |
Residence: | Place:Hydra, Greece |
Other occupation: | Novelist |
Other occupation: | Journalist |
Biographer: | Kerr, Joan |
Source of info: | Black and white artists |
Date written: | Date:c. 1999 - 2003 |
Date modified: | Date:2007 |
Reference: | Title:Johnston, George Henry (1912 - 1970)Year:1996Author:Kinnane, GarryPublished:Melbourne, Vic : Australian Dictionary of Biography, Volume 14, Ritchie, John (ed.), Melbourne University Press, pp 573-575 |
Reference: | Title:George Johnston : a biographyYear:1986Author:Kinnane, GarryPublished:Melbourne, Vic : Nelson |
Reference: | Published:Sydney, NSW: Bulletin |
Reference: | Published:Sydney, NSW: Smith's Weekly |
Reference: | Title:Australian Week-End BookPublished:Sydney, NSW : Ure Smith |
Reference: | Title:My Brother JackAuthor:Johnston, George Henry |
Reference: | Title:Death Takes Small BitesYear:1948Author:Johnston, GeorgePublished:Harmondsworth, Middlesex, England, UK : PenguinNote:Notes from dust-jacket. |
Summary: | Noted mid 20th century novelist and journalist, Johnston also worked as a cartoonist, painter and illustrator. He travelled the world for many years as a foreign and war correspondent, living and working in 46 countries, including Tibet, China, and Burma. |