David Benedictus, Dropping Names. Great Britain: Ernie Books, 2nd edn., 2005.
Hard cover, dustwrapper, 284 pages.
Gift inscription on the front free endpaper. Very good condition.
Signed by the author on the title page.
'At Eton his fag was Jonathan Aitken. He was private tutor to the Rothschilds. At 22 he published a best seller, Within a few years he had story edited BBC's Wednesday Play, interviewed Judy Garland and watched as the young Coppola filmed his second novel in New York. He organised the early Amnesty Concerts, modelled for Vogue. and assisted Trevor Nunn at the RSC. He was antiques correspondent for the Evening Standard. Commissioning Editor for Drama at Channel 4, a London tour guide, and ran Book At Bedtime for Radio 4. He has taught in both the private and state sectors and runs a tipping service for horse-racing fans. What David has to say about the arts and society in Britain is alarming and very very funny.' (blurb)
David Benedictus is a British writer, editor, and producer with an interestingly varied career that spans literature, broadcasting, and film. Heres a detailed overview:
David Benedictus was born in 1938 in London.
He was educated at Eton College and then at Balliol College, Oxford, where he read English.
Benedictus first made his name as a novelist in the early 1960s. His debut novel, The Fourth of June (1962), was a controversial satire of life at Eton, exploring privilege, sexuality, and hypocrisy. It became a minor classic of its kind.
His later novels include:
You Me and Him (1969)
The Girl Who Went to Winter Never (1972)
Floating Down to Camden (1985)
He also wrote for and worked in film notably adapting The Fourth of June into a screenplay and later writing and directing for television.
Benedictus had a significant career in radio and television, particularly with the BBC.
He worked as a BBC Radio drama producer, becoming Commissioning Editor for Drama at BBC Radio 4.
He was known for bringing literary works and high-quality adaptations to the airwaves.
He was a literary editor and had a strong interest in promoting new writing.
At one point he worked as a literary advisor and private tutor, including to members of the Rothschild family (as you mentioned).
Later Recognition: Winnie-the-Pooh
In 2009, he achieved unexpected public fame as the author of Return to the Hundred Acre Wood, the first authorised sequel to A.A. Milnes Winnie-the-Pooh books, published by Egmont.
He had previously produced radio adaptations of Winnie-the-Pooh for the BBC, which likely led to his selection for the sequel project.
