Sir Harold Hobson

Dramatic critic, born in Thorpe Hesley, South Yorkshire, N England, UK. He studied at Oxford, and was an assistant literary editor (1942–7) before becoming drama critic (1947–76) of the Sunday Times. He was one of the most influential critics in Britain, championing many new playwrights, including Beckett, Pinter, and Stoppard. He was also drama critic of the Christian Science Monitor (1931–74), and a regular member of the radio programme The Critics. He wrote a number of books on British and French theatre, an autobiography (Indirect Journey, 1978), and a personal history, Theatre in Britain (1984). He was knighted in 1977.

Sir Harold Hobson (1904-1992) was an influential English drama critic and author. He was an assistant literary editor before he became drama critic for the Sunday Times (1947-76). He was the only drama critic to recognise Harold Pinter's talent as a dramatist and wrote of The Birthday Party, "Pinter … possesses the most original, disturbing and arresting talent in theatrical London" . He was also drama critic of the Christian Science Monitor (1931-74), wrote for Drama and The Listener and was a regular member of the radio programme The Critics.

He has written a number of books on British and French theatre, an autobiography (Indirect Journey, 1978), and a personal history, Theatre in Britain (1984).