Fred Bason
Fred Bason | |
|---|---|
| Born | Frederick Thomas Bason Template:Birth date Walworth, London, England |
| Died | July 3, 1973 (aged 65) |
| Occupation(s) | Bookseller, author, broadcaster |
| Known for | Diaries published in four volumes in the early 1950s; essays in The Saturday Book (1945–1972) |
Fred Bason (1907–1973) was a prominent English bookseller, author, and broadcaster, chiefly recognized for his diaries, which were released in four volumes throughout the early 1950s.
Life
Frederick Thomas Bason entered the world on 29 August 1907 in Walworth, London, proudly considering himself a "true cockney" due to his birth within hearing distance of Bow Bells. As the sole offspring of much older parents, he remained unmarried throughout his life and shared his home for many years with his housekeeper, Lizzie, who remained in his service until her passing in 1968.
From an early age, Bason maintained diaries and pursued a career in trading rare second-hand books. His observations led him to discover that books bearing signatures fetched higher prices on the resale market, igniting a lasting passion for collecting autographs. His essays were featured consistently in every issue of The Saturday Book from 1945 until 1972, positioning him among the leading literary and artistic personalities of postwar Britain.
Bason’s literary pursuits allowed him to forge relationships with many distinguished figures; notably, one of his diary volumes included an introduction penned by Noël Coward. Although he lived modestly—dwelling in council housing and deliberately keeping his income below the British tax threshold—upon his death on 3 July 1973, he left a sum exceeding £24,000. The majority of this estate was dedicated to founding a charitable fund to support writers.