Steven Berkoff
Actor, playwright, author and director. Born Leslie Steven Berks in Stepney. After studying at the École Jacques Lecoq in Paris, he founded the London Theatre Group where he directed his own adap...
Sir Walter Besant
Novelist and London historian. Born Portsmouth. 1884 co-founded the Society of Authors. Secretary of the Palestine Exploration Fund. Originator of the People's Palace. First president of The Hamp...
Alfred Bestall
Author and illustrator. Born Alfred Edmeades Bestall in Mandalay, Burma. He served in the army during WW1, transporting troops in red double-decker buses. Following his studies at the L.C.C. Centra...
William Harnett Blanch
Historian. Born into a family of gun and rifle manufacturers, he was a prolific writer of books, mainly about the local history of London. He also founded The London Thirteen Club as a means of de...
Bloomsbury Group
An influential group of artists and writers who were friends during the first half of the 20th century. Our picture shows: Auberon Duckworth; Duncan Grant; Julian Bell; Leonard Woolf, and front: Vi...
Enid Blyton
Children's writer. Born Enid Mary Blyton at 354 Lordship Lane, East Dulwich. Best known for creating the character of Little Noddy and the 'Famous Five' stories. Her works have been translated into...
Michael Bond
Writer. Born Newbury. His first book 'A Bear Called Paddington' was published in 1958. There have been 23 Paddington books. Also wrote for adults.
Booker Prize
Literary award. Originally known as the Booker–McConnell Prize, after the company Booker, McConnell Ltd who first sponsored the event. When administration of the prize was transferred to the Booker...
George Borrow
Writer and traveller. Born George Henry Borrow, East Dereham, Norfolk. He travelled widely throughout Europe and Morocco and was also a great linguist. He caused a minor scandal, when, in a transla...