Peter I
Sir: I was interested to read the review of Michael Wharton's (alias Peter Simple) recent autobiography (Books, 17 Novem- ber). It recalled memories of my father, E. B. Osborn, who was for many years literary editor of the Morning Post until its amalgamation with the Daily Telegraph. He died in 1938 and to the best of my recollection was the first Peter Simple. He was the major contributor to that column stretching over two decades. E. B. Osborn, or E.B.O. as he was affectionately known, was at Oxford in the 1880s and an exhibi- tioner of Magdalen College. He was the author of Our debt to Greece and Rome and many others, which alas are no longer in print. Since E.B.O.'s time there has been a distinguished number of Peter Simples and I wonder how many are aware of the writer and journalist who started it all.
Lois Boden (née Osborn)
37 Meadowcroft Close, Horley, Surrey
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