A forceful and colourful Independent Member of Parliament during World War I, he likened the administration of the country to a ‘sorry and sordid play, in which politicians are the actors, the pressmen are the dramatists, vested interests pack the house and the public pay the price’.

The victim of several ‘dirty tricks’ during his parliamentary career, he was forced to conduct his own defence in a politically instigated criminal libel case at the Old Bailey and, against all odds and to much popular acclaim, was acquitted.

In this first full biography of Pemberton Billing, Barbara Stoney’s thorough research has produced a fascinating and highly readable account of the life of this complex and extraordinary man.

About the Author:

Before marriage to her architect husband, Barbara Stoney worked as a nurse, journalist and international conference reporter. She also spent some time in Geneva with the World Health Organisation.

While her children were growing up, she wrote stories and features for several publications, including a column for a weekly newspaper. She then embarked on the first of her much-acclaimed biographies, that of Enid Blyton, and for twenty-one years edited a local history journal, was a popular speaker for a national lecture agency, acted as consultant for and appeared on a number of television and radio documentary programmes.

She claims that exploring the many facets of Pemberton Billing’s life has been the most challenging task she has so far attempted.
Barbara relaxes from her busy working life by tending her garden, listening to classical music, travelling and enjoying the company of friends and her extended family.