A. P. Herbert
Biography
Sir Alan Patrick Herbert (1890–1971), known as A. P. Herbert, was an English humorist, novelist, playwright, and law reformer who served as an Independent Member of Parliament for Oxford University from 1935 to 1950. He wrote prolifically for Punch magazine and authored novels, librettos for comic operas, and works of legal satire. His novel Holy Deadlock (1934) helped reform British divorce law, and his Matrimonial Causes Act of 1937 was a landmark in legal history. Herbert combined sharp wit with serious social purpose, using humor and fiction to expose absurdities in British law and society.
Common themes in A. P. Herbert's work
British Humor
A recurring theme throughout A. P. Herbert's writing.
Legal Reform
A recurring theme throughout A. P. Herbert's writing.
Social Satire
A recurring theme throughout A. P. Herbert's writing.
Parliamentary History
A recurring theme throughout A. P. Herbert's writing.
Books
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Why A. P. Herbert is still read today
Herbert is a rare example of a writer whose fiction directly changed the law. His combination of literary wit and practical activism makes him a fascinating figure in twentieth-century British cultural and legal history.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was A. P. Herbert?
A. P. Herbert was an English humorist, novelist, and MP whose writing helped reform British divorce law.
What did A. P. Herbert write?
He wrote novels, humor for Punch magazine, comic opera librettos, and legal satires. Read The House by the River free on TextStack.
How did A. P. Herbert change British law?
His novel Holy Deadlock exposed absurdities in divorce law, leading to the Matrimonial Causes Act of 1937, which he personally steered through Parliament.
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