Alan Stewart Paton was a South African writer and anti-apartheid activist.
16 Facts About Alan Paton
2.
Alan Paton's works include the novels Cry, the Beloved Country, Too Late the Phalarope and the narrative poem The Wasteland.
3.
Alan Paton's faith was one of the reasons he was so strongly opposed to apartheid.
4.
Alan Paton served as the principal of Diepkloof Reformatory for young offenders from 1935 to 1949, where he introduced controversial "progressive" reforms, including policies on open dormitories, work permits, and home visitation.
5.
Alan Paton volunteered for military service with the British Commonwealth forces during World War II, but was refused by the South African authorities.
6.
Alan Paton toured Scandinavia, Britain, continental Europe, Canada, and the United States.
7.
Alan Paton published numerous books in the 1950s and became wealthy from their sales.
8.
Alan Paton served as President of the LPSA until its forced dissolution by the government in the late 1960s, officially because its membership comprised both Blacks and Whites.
9.
Alan Paton was a friend of Bernard Friedman, founder of the Progressive Party.
10.
Alan Paton himself advocated peaceful opposition to apartheid, as did many others in the party.
11.
Alan Paton's passport was confiscated by the South African government upon his return from New York in 1960, where he had been presented with the annual Freedom Award.
12.
Alan Paton retired to Botha's Hill, where he resided until his death.
13.
Alan Paton is honored at the Hall of Freedom of the Liberal International organisation.
14.
Alan Paton was a prolific essay writer on race and politics in South Africa.
15.
Alan Paton wrote two autobiographies: Towards the Mountain deals with Alan Paton's life leading up to and including the publication of Cry, the Beloved Country while Journey Continued takes its departure from that time onwards.
16.
Publications of Alan Paton's work include a volume of his travel writing, The Lost City of the Kalahari, and a complete selection of his shorter writings, The Hero of Currie Road.