Dan Jacobson

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Dan Jacobson (born March 7, 1929 in Johannesburg, South Africa) is a novelist, short story writer, critic and essayist. He has lived in Great Britain for many years and taught as a professor of English at University College London. He has also spent periods as a visiting writer or professor at universities in the United States, Australia, and South Africa, and has given lectures and readings in many other countries.

His early novels, including The Trap, his first published novel, focus on South African themes. His later works have been various in kind: they include works of fantasy and treatments of historical episodes, as well as memoirs and travel books. Among the awards and prizes he has received are the John Lewellyn Prize 1959 ["A Long Way from London and Other Stories"]; Somerset Maugham Award 1964 [Time of Arrival and Other Essays]; The Jewish Chronicle Award 1977 ["The Confessions of Josef Baisz"]; J. R. Ackerley Prize for Autobiography 1986 [Time and Time Again].

He has received an Honorary D. Litt. from the University of the Witwatersrand and been a elected a Fellow of University College London.