Neil Lyndon
Neil Lyndon | |
|---|---|
| Born | Neil Alexander Barnacle September 12, 1946 Sussex Weald, England |
| Occupation(s) | Author, journalist |
| Years active | 1960s–present |
| Known for | Critique of feminism, author of No More Sex War |
Neil Alexander Lyndon (originally Neil Alexander Barnacle; born 12 September 1946) is a British author and journalist. His work has appeared in prominent outlets such as The Sunday Times, The Times, The Independent, the Evening Standard, the Daily Mail, and the Telegraph.
Lyndon gained recognition primarily for his book No More Sex War: The Failures of Feminism (Sinclair-Stevenson 1992), which he characterizes as "the world's first egalitarian, progressive, non-sexist critique of feminism."
Early life
Born in 1946, Lyndon was raised in the rural region known as the Sussex Weald and attended Collyer's school, Horsham from 1958 until 1962. Following his father's bankruptcy and imprisonment for fraud in 1962, the family encountered financial difficulties. Subsequently, his mother reverted their surname to her maiden name, and Lyndon transferred to Gillingham School. Facing the possibility of leaving education after O-levels to enter the workforce, he received financial assistance from his tutor Frank Hodgson, enabling him to complete his A-levels. Lyndon became head boy and later founded the Frank Hodgson Trust to aid sixth-form students; a school house now bears Hodgson's name. During his teenage years, Lyndon was active in progressive movements, joining both the Young Communist League and the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament.
In 1965, he became the first student from a comprehensive school to be awarded an unconditional place at Cambridge University, enrolling at Queens' College. While studying there, he worked part-time in a scrap yard and in light engineering. Lyndon was deeply involved in radical left-wing activism, participating in protests and sit-ins. After completing his degree, he co-launched The Shilling Paper, a radical weekly publication, and in 1969 joined the editorial team of the underground newspaper The Black Dwarf. Writing for The Sunday Times in 2007, Lyndon reflected on his earlier political beliefs with regret, acknowledging his former naivety regarding support for totalitarian regimes.
Career
During the 1970s, Lyndon held various roles within the BBC, including work on The Listener. Throughout the 1980s, he contributed as a journalist writing the "Atticus" column for The Sunday Times and also wrote for The Times, The Independent, and the Evening Standard. His journalism spanned topics such as politics, sports, music, and literature. Additionally, Lyndon appeared on television programs, notably featuring as a guest on Channel Four's After Dark.
On gender issues
Lyndon's initial exploration of gender topics appeared in a 1990 essay titled "Badmouthing" for The Sunday Times Magazine. This extensive 5,000-word piece argued that men encountered widespread discrimination across advertising, entertainment media, family law, education systems, and health research due to "the universal dominance of feminism". He asserted that fostering better relationships among men, women, and children necessitated transforming societal perceptions of men and addressing systemic disadvantages impacting men's familial and social roles. He characterized men as effectively being "second class citizens" within Britain.
Subsequently, it was revealed that female journalists at The Times attempted unsuccessfully to suppress Lyndon's article and later published a critical response targeting him in the Sunday Times Magazine's "Style" section.
No More Sex War
In 1992, Lyndon further developed these ideas in his book, No More Sex War: The Failures of Feminism, delving deeper into the difficulties feminism presented to men’s social roles and legal rights.
Reception
The publication garnered considerable media coverage, much of which was hostile and derogatory toward Lyndon. Instead of addressing his points, numerous detractors resorted to ad hominem attacks, challenging his masculinity, sexual competence, and even his personal hygiene. Nearly twenty years later, feminist author Julie Burchill persisted with this verbal criticism, describing him as a "sad-sack" and "the opposite of a man." Lyndon has stated that some reviewers, including Helena Kennedy, declined to engage with the book’s content and advised others against purchasing it.
Impact
The book experienced limited sales, and Lyndon's career in journalism suffered a setback; he was declared bankrupt in August 1992. Before the book's release, his marriage ended, with his wife gaining custody of their child without his awareness. Lyndon claims that his negative media reputation was leveraged against him in family court, leading to the loss of contact with his son. He managed to revive his journalism career during the 1990s and was eventually reunited with his son, who lived with him in Scotland before attending university. Furthermore, Lyndon asserted that he endured physical assault at Heathrow Airport linked to the book’s controversy and that at Cambridge University—an important part of his background—students were encouraged to destroy his writings, with some faculty members expressing hostile attitudes toward him.
Eight years following these events, Lyndon revisited the subject matter, emphasizing how dissenting opinions are treated within an open society. While he did not equate his experience directly with Salman Rushdie’s ordeal, he pointed out the irony of those defending Rushdie’s freedom while simultaneously attempting to suppress his own voice.
Personal life
Lyndon married Monica Foot in 1971; their marriage ended in divorce five years later. In 1977, he wed Deirdre; together they had one son and he gained a stepson. His third marriage is to Linda, with whom he has two daughters.
Publications
- No More Sex War: The failures of feminism, 1992, Sinclair-Stevenson Ltd
- A Boyhood in the Weald, 1998, Pomegranate Press
- Sexual Impolitics: Heresies on sex, gender and feminism, 2014
- Men of Respect (originally titled Hail to the Chief), a musical co-written by Lyndon that explores America’s history between the presidencies of John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon.