Millin, Sarah Gertrude

1929 Yearbook

MILLIN, Sarah Gertrude (born Liebson), Eminent South African authoress. Only daughter of Olga and the late Isaiah Liebson, of Waldeck's Plant, Barkly West. Born in Lithuania. Came to South Africa with parents at age of six months. Educated at Girls' High School, Kimberley. Commenced to write at early age in South African periodicals, notably The State; her first novel, published in 1920, was The Dark River," followed successively by "Middle Class," "Adam's Rest," "The Jordans," "God's Stepchildren," "Mary Glenn," "An Artist in the Family," 'The Coming of the Lord," and (1929) "The Fiddler." Apart from her novels, she has written "The South Africans," an essay on the people, races, problems and general characteristics of life in South Africa, a standard work. Has written and published numerous short stories and literary articles in England and American magazines and South African newspapers. Recognised, both in America and England as one of the best novelists writing in English to-day. Mrs. Millin is also recognised as an excellent literary critic. Lectured in the United States, 1929, on subjects of literary and specially South African interest. Mrs. Millin was married in 1912 to Advocate Philip Millin. Without being an active participant in Jewish affairs, Mrs. Millin is keenly interested in Jewish problems, an interest which is reflected in many of her works. Postal Address: 14 Rhodes Avenue, Parktown West, Johannesburg.

1967/8 Yearbook

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MILLIN, Sarah Gertrude. Hon. D. Litt. (Rand). Widow of the late Mr. Justice Philip Millin. Leading South African writer, whose work has been acclaimed throughout the world. Born in Lithuania in 1890, she came to South Africa at the age of five months with her parents, Isaiah and Olga Liebson, who settled first at Beaconsfield, and subsequently in the Barkly West district. She was educated at the Kimberley Girls' High School and commenced writing for various periodicals when she was sixteen. Her first novel, "The Dark River," appeared in 1920 and was acclaimed by the eminent literary critic, Katherine Mansfield, as marking a new note in South African literature. Her latest novel, "Goodbye, Dear England" (1965), is dedicated to the memory of her brother, Captain Stephen A. Liebson, M.C., who was twice wounded at Delville Wood, and was killed in action on March 22nd, 1918, in the Michael Offensive of the Great War that forms the background of the book. Her successive novels and non-fiction won her an ever-growing reputation as South Africa's foremost writer. The Witwatersrand University awarded her an honorary doctorate in 1952 in recognition of her work. Several of her books are prescribed reading at Yale, Harvard, M.I.T. and other United States. Universities, and doctoral theses on her work have been submitted to the Universities of Vienna, Marseilles and Milan. She has always taken a keen interest in Jewish life: Jewish themes weave into many of her books. Publications: Novels: The Dark River" (1920). "Middle Class (1921). "Adam's Rest" (1922). "The Jordans" (1923), "God's Stepchildren" (1924), "Mary Glenn" (1925). "The Coming of the Lord" (1928). An Artist in the Family" (1928). "The Fiddler" (1929). "The Sons of Mrs. Aab (1931). "Three Men Die" (1934). "What Hath at Man (1938). "The Herr Witchdoctor" (1941). "King of the Bastards" (1950), "The Burning Man" (1952). "Two Bucks Without Hair" (short stories) (1957). The Wizard Bird (1962), "Goodbye, Dear England" (1965). Biographies: "Rhodes" (1933). "General Smuts" (1936). Autobiography: "The Night Is Long (1941). "The Measure Of My Days" (1955). War Diaries: "World Blackout" (1944), "The Reeling Earth" (1945), "The Pit of the Abyss" (1946). "The Sound of the Trumpet" (1947). "Fire out of Heaven" (1947), "The Seven Thunders" (1948). General: "The South Africans" (1926 revised edition 1934), "The People of South Africa" (1951). "Men on a Voyage" (essays) (1930). "South Africa" (in Commonwealth series) (1941), Plays: "No Longer Mourn" (produced 1935). "General Smuts" (12 episodes in the life of General Smuts, written for the B.B.C.). A Rhodes film based on Mrs. Millin's biography was produced in 1936. Add.: 34, Pallinghurst Road, Westcliffe. Johannesburg.