About Anthony Sampson
Anthony Terrell Seward Sampson (3 August 1926 – 18 December 2004) was a British writer and journalist. His most notable and successful book was Anatomy of Britain, which was published in 1962 and was followed by five more "Anatomies", updating the original book under various titles. He was the grandson of the linguist John Sampson, of whom he wrote a biography, The Scholar Gypsy: The Quest For A Family Secret (1997). He also gave Nelson Mandela advice on Mandela's famous 1964 defence speech at the trial which led to his conviction for life. == Early life and education == Sampson was born in Billingham, County Durham, son of Lieutenant Colonel Michael Trevisky Sampson, King's Royal Rifle Corps, OBE, MC, chief scientist for Imperial Chemical Industries, and Phyllis, daughter of the botanist and geologist Sir Albert Seward. Michael Sampson was assigned as technical director of ICI to the Billingham nitrogen works. He was educated at Westminster School. In 1944 he joined the Royal Navy, and by the time he left, in 1947, he was a sub-lieutenant in the RN Volunteer Reserve. He then studied English at Christ Church, Oxford. == Career == In 1951 Sampson went to Johannesburg, South Africa, to become editor of the magazine Drum, remaining there for four years.
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