Walter Allen

Allen was born in Aston, Birmingham; he drew on his working-class roots for All in a Lifetime (1959), generally considered his best novel.

He was educated at King Edward's Grammar School and the University of Birmingham,[2] graduating in 1932—his friends at that period included Henry Reed and Louis MacNeice.

[citation needed] Allen published many novels early in his career mostly dealing with the life of the working class in England.

As I Walked Down New Grub Street which accounts his meetings with prominent literary figures was published in 1982.

[citation needed] Papers of Walter Allen are held at the Cadbury Research Library (University of Birmingham).