Gilbert Phelps


Gilbert Phelps was a British educationist and author, best known for nine distinguished novels that he wrote between 1953 and 1975 and for his literary criticism which embraces several foreign literatures, chiefly Russian and African.

Biography

Gilbert Henry Phelps was born in Gloucester, won a scholarship to a grammar school and another to Cambridge where he graduated with a double First in English. He was associated with the university as research student, lecturer and tutor from 1937 to 1939. From 1940 to 1942 he lectured for the British Council in Lisbon. On returning to England he became Senior English Master at Blundell's School.
Gilbert Phelps began writing when he was still at school. His collections of poems and short stories appeared in many periodicals and collections both in America and England. His first novel the Dry Stone was published both in England and America in 1953, as was his second novel A Man in His Prime. He has written articles on literary and educational subjects, and has also written for the radio. Gilbert Phelps then became Chief Instructor, Sound, for Staff Training at the BBC.

Career with BBC

Phelps' appointments with the BBC included: