FORTUNE PRESS WRITERS
Terence Lucy Greenidge (1902–1970)
Terence Greenidge and Friends
Greenidge was a poet, novelist, playwright, film-maker and actor.
A native of
His Fortune Press titles are:
The Magnificent. A story without a moral (Fortune Press, 1933)
Brass and Paint: A Patriotic Story (Fortune Press, 1934)
Tinpot Country: A story of
Philip and the Dictator. A romantic story (Fortune Press, 1938)
Girls and Stations, etc. [Poems.] (Fortune Press, 1952) : With a Forward by John Betjeman..
See RA CATON AND FORTUNE PRESS BY Timothy D’Arch Smith Nos 243-247.
Greenidge’s first two novels were seized and banned by the powers that be. Police confiscated “ The Magnificent” and “Brass and Paint” under the Obscene Publications Act of 1857. Both books were destroyed. However, RA Caton at Fortune Press, failed to comply with the destruction order and a handful of copies were still available for several years. All of Greenidge’s titles are now very hard to find.
Terence’s first publication was "Degenerate Oxford" (1930) , this is a curious defence of the varsity of youth. One copy is currently on sale on Abe Books for £250.
As an actor Greenidge was occasionally seen in the West End of
London shows and overseas and regional tours organized by the British Council
and playing Shakespeare at
Famously, as a protest Greenidge withheld paying his income tax for 10 years, citing the BBC payments systems to actors as “ mean and cruel”. He was later declared bankrupt.
Greenidge married but exact details of his wife ( Nora ) are sparse.
A remarkable and recent summary of Terence Greenidge’s life and his mental health struggles, deliciously written by Hannah Minton, can be gleaned on this web link. A MUST READ!
Enquiries, email William Cross
