Jim Haynes facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
James Almand Haynes
|
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born | 10 November 1933 Haynesville, Louisiana, U.S.
|
| Died | 6 January 2021 (aged 87) Paris, France
|
| Occupation | Publisher |
| Known for | Co-founder Edinburgh's Traverse Theatre, International Times and London's Arts Lab |
James Almand Haynes (born November 10, 1933 – died January 6, 2021) was an American who became a very important person in the "counterculture" movement in Britain during the 1950s and 60s. This movement was about people trying new ways of living and thinking, often different from traditional society. Jim Haynes started many exciting projects. He opened a bookshop in Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1959. He also helped create the famous Traverse Theatre and an underground newspaper called International Times in London. Later, he moved to Paris and became known for hosting huge open-door dinner parties for people from all over the world.
Contents
Early Life and Adventures
Jim Haynes was born in Haynesville, Louisiana, in the United States. When he was in middle school, his family moved to Venezuela. This happened because his father got a job there with Shell Oil.
In 1956, Jim joined the United States Air Force. He was stationed in Kirknewton, West Lothian, Scotland. After his time in the Air Force ended, he decided to stay in Scotland.
Making Waves in Edinburgh
Jim Haynes took some classes at the University of Edinburgh. He was very active in writing and music. He helped start the Traverse Theatre. He also played a big part in the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
He opened a bookshop called 'The Paperback' in George Square, Edinburgh in 1959. This shop was special because it was "Britain’s first paperback-only bookshop." It was also one of the first shops in the UK to sell the book Lady Chatterley's Lover.
In 1962, Jim Haynes helped organize the Edinburgh Writer's Conference. He worked with John Calder and Sonia Orwell on this event. In 1963, Jim, John Calder, and Kenneth Tynan created an International Drama Conference.
London's Creative Scene
In 1966, Jim Haynes moved to London. This was during a lively time known as the "Swinging Sixties". He became very involved in the city's alternative culture. He helped start an alternative newspaper called International Times, or "I.T.". He worked with Barry Miles, John Hopkins, and others.
In September 1967, Jim Haynes also helped create the Drury Lane Arts Lab. This was a space for different types of art and media. It closed in late 1969. In 1968, he co-founded Videoheads in London with Jack Henry Moore.
Life in Paris
In 1969, Jim Haynes moved to Paris, France. He taught Media Studies at the University of Paris for 30 years. He also published a newsletter about his life. He wrote a book about himself called Thanks for Coming.
In Paris, Jim Haynes started a weekly open house dinner party in 1978. By the time he passed away, it was thought he had hosted between 130,000 and 150,000 people at these Sunday dinners. In 2009, Jim Haynes and his open house parties were even shown in TV ads for the food company Nestlé.
Later Years
In August 2011, Jim Haynes had a heart attack. This happened while he was traveling from Paris to the Edinburgh Festival. Luckily, he recovered.
In 2018, Edinburgh Napier University gave Jim Haynes an honorary PhD. This is a special degree given to people for their achievements.
Jim Haynes passed away peacefully in his sleep in Paris on January 6, 2021.
