[C. E. M. Joad, philosopher on 'The Brains Trust'.] Typed Letter Signed ('C E M Joad') to BBC producer Hugh Burnett, suggesting changes to the next in a series of talks he is giving.

Author: 
C. E. M. Joad [Cyril Edwin Mitchinson Joad] (1891-1953), philosopher on the BBC radio programme 'The Brains Trust' [Hugh Burnett (1924-2011), BBC producer]
Publication details: 
On letterhead of 4 East Heath Road, Hampstead, N.W.3. 14 August 1951.
£35.00
SKU: 22090

Joad's rise and fall are admirably described in Jason Tomes' entry on him in the Oxford DNB. The present letter was written after the disgrace which followed his 1948 conviction for fare-dodging. Not only was Joad dropped from the programme which had made him a nationwide celebrity, 'The Brains Trust', as a result, but his well-founded hopes of a peerage were dashed. It is interesting to note from the present letter that Joad continued to work for the BBC after his disgrace. The letter is 2pp, landscape 12mo. In fair condition, aged and creased, with two punch-holes at head. The letter has one autograph emendation (the typed 'thought' replaced by 'been thinking'). It begins: 'Dear Mr. Burnett, | I enclose herewith the second pair of talks. With regard to Talk IV, I think after yesterday's experience that this may be a bit too long, and I have thought of methods of shortening it.' He explains, with reference to the text, what he proposes to do, ending 'I suggest, then, that these paragraphs could be cut out, which will give me a bit more time to read slowly.' From the papers of BBC producer Hugh Burnett, best-remembered for creating the television programme 'Face To Face', in which prominent men were interviewed by John Freeman.