The Dictionary of National Biography

`We cannot do without new volumes of the DNB', declared the Spectator, `Its contribution to knowledge is massive.'Now hundreds more prominent individuals from all walks of National life who died between 1986 and 1990 can be found in this latest volume of The Dictionary of National Biography. The roll-call of distinguished persons range from gynaecologist Patrick Steptoe who delivered the first `test-tube' baby in 1978, to publisher Hamish Hamilton, football wing-half Joe Mercer,...
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`We cannot do without new volumes of the DNB', declared the Spectator, `Its contribution to knowledge is massive.'Now hundreds more prominent individuals from all walks of National life who died between 1986 and 1990 can be found in this latest volume of The Dictionary of National Biography. The roll-call of distinguished persons range from gynaecologist Patrick Steptoe who delivered the first `test-tube' baby in 1978, to publisher Hamish Hamilton, football wing-half Joe Mercer, sculptor Henry Moore, and gardener Percy Thrower. Other entries include:Public figures - Harold Macmillan, Robert Boothby, Michael Ramsay Comedians and entertainers - Max Wall, `Tommy' Trinder, Terry ThomasActors - Rex Harrison, Margaret Lockwood, Trevor HowardMusicians - Jacqueline du Pré, John Ogdon, Peter PearsWriters - Bruce Chatwin, Noel Streatfield, Daphne du Maurier, Christopher Isherwood Contributors provide not only accurate detail but also fascinating anecdotal evidence about their subjects, many of whom were known to them personally and who are eminent persons in their own right. One of the delights of the book is discovering, for example:Alan Bennett on Russell HartySir Kingsley Amis on John BraineMargaret Forster on Daphne Du MaurierRichard Ingrams on Malcolm MuggeridgeJeremy Issacs on Charles MooreFrank Muir on Arthur MarshallWilliam Rees Mogg on Stuart Young