Background
Hobson, Harold was born on August 4, 1904 in Barnsley, England. Son of Jacob and Minnie (McKegg) Hobson.
Hobson, Harold was born on August 4, 1904 in Barnsley, England. Son of Jacob and Minnie (McKegg) Hobson.
He attended Sheffield Grammar School, from where he gained a scholarship to Oriel College at Oxford University, graduating with a second-class degree in Modern History in 1928.
In 1931 he began to write London theatre reviews for the Christian Science Monitor and in 1935 he was employed on the paper"s staff, remaining its London drama critic until 1974. He was an assistant literary editor for the Sunday Times from 1944 and later became its drama critic (1947-1976). He was the only drama critic to recognise Harold Pinter"s talent as a dramatist and wrote of The Birthday Party: "I am willing to risk whatever reputation I have as a judge of plays by saying.
In the 1960s, he was invited by Peter Hall to join the board of the National Theatre.
Hobson wrote a number of books relating to British and French theatre, including his autobiography, entitled Indirect Journey (1978), and a personal history based on his work as a drama critic, Theatre in Britain (1984). Harold Hobson received a knighthood from Queen Elizabeth II in 1977.
Hobson also wrote for Drama and The Listener and was a regular member of the British Broadcasting Corporation radio programme The Critics.
Married Gladys Bessie Johns, July 13, 1935 (deceased November 1979). Married Nancy Penhale, April 4, 1981. 1 child, Margaret Bessie.