Literary Honours For Five British Writers

Press, Volume C, Issue 29511, 12 May 1961, Page 13

Literary Honours For Five British Writers

IN.Z P A.-Reuter— Copyright)

LONDON. May 11

Five British writers yesterday became Companions of Literature, a new honour created for contributions to English letters. The honours were awarded by the Royal Society of Literature.

They went to Sir Winston Churchill, the historian Dr. G. M. Trevelyan, the novelists, E. M. Forster and Somerset Maugham, and the Poet Laureate. John Masefield. The new honour—bestowed for “exceptional services for English literature”—will not be given to more than 10 living people at any one time.

The poet. T. S. Eliot was invited to accept the honour but refused, according to the “Daily Mail.” Of the five, only Somerset Maugham and John Masefield were able to be present to receive their parchment scroll from the society’s president. Mr R. A Butler.

Mr Masefield, aged 82. became so overcome at receiving his award that his nose began to bleed. He had to be taken downstairs. When he recovered he approached Mr Richard Church, a member of the panel who selected him and said: “Hello, Sir Richard.” Mr Church said: "I only got a C.8.E., not a K.8.E.” The embarrassed Mr Masefield’s nose began to bleed again. Mr Maugham, who is 87,

came equipped with a new pink hearing aid. the "Daily Mail” said. He sat brooding in his chair and said: “Give me my hearing aid so that I can hear all the gossip. I got it specially for today The others were no good and 1 threw them in the Mediterranean.

“Where’s Eliot? Isn’t he here. D’you know I was told by someone that he was offered the award and turned it down. Now isn’t he an extraordinary fellow? “And J. B. Priestley, eh? I expect he’s rather vexed at not being asked to be one of the good companions Why isn’t Graham Greene here? I do think he deserved an award.

"Ah well, perhaps Greene’s a bit too young (Mr Greene is 57). I do think it’s odd about Eliot.”

He turned to greet the Poet Laureate. “Hullo, Masefield. I haven’t seen you for a hundred years.” He added in an aside: “You know I think the dear fellow must be quite 90 . . and deaf like all of us.” A spokesman for the Royal Society of Literature said the honour entitled the recipient to put the letters “C. Litt” after his or her name. “We have not considered filling all 10 vacancies but have contented ourselves with filling the five for the time being.” he said.

Nationals of any country who write in English are eligible for the honour.