Burton, Peter, 1945-2011

Journalist for various periodicals (JEREMY, GAY TIMES, HIM) and editor at gay or gay-friendly publishing companies including Gay Men's Press and Millivres, Peter Burton has been integrally involved in aspects of the gay literary world in Great Britain since the 1960s when an open, uncloseted gay press was becoming possible. Burton met Robin Maugham in 1968 and worked with him on many projects until Maugham's death in 1981. Among Burton's own writing are articles, introductions to new editions of works by J.R. Ackerley and E.F. Benson, his 1977 biography of Rod Stewart, and "Leaving It All Behind," his one-act play inspired by the early life and writings of Christopher Isherwood, which was published in 1989 in "The Freezer counter: stories by gay men." Over his career, Burton helped discover and nurture gay writers, compiled several anthologies, and spoke on gay writing at conferences.