Sam Hanna Bell facts for kids

Sam Hanna Bell (born October 16, 1909 – died February 9, 1990) was a famous writer from Northern Ireland. He was born in Scotland. He wrote novels, short stories, and plays. He also worked on television and radio.

Early Life and Inspiration

Sam Hanna Bell was born in Glasgow, Scotland. His parents were from Ulster, a region in Northern Ireland. When he was seven, his father sadly passed away. Sam then moved with his mother and two brothers to County Down in Northern Ireland.

They lived in a small cottage near Raffery. This home had no electricity or running water. This simple country life later inspired his well-known novel, December Bride. He wrote this book in 1951.

In 1921, Sam moved to Belfast. He worked many different manual jobs there. Later, in 1945, he got a job at the BBC. He also helped start a literary magazine called Lagan in 1943.

His Books and Stories

Sam Hanna Bell wrote many different kinds of stories. His first collection of short stories was called Summer Loanen and other stories. It was published in 1943.

He also wrote several novels. These include:

• December Bride (1951)
• The Hollow Ball (1961)
• A Man Flourishing (1973)
• Across the Narrow Sea (1987)

Working at the BBC

Sam Hanna Bell joined the BBC in 1946. Another writer, W. R. Rodgers, also joined at the same time. They were recruited by a poet and radio producer named Louis MacNeice.

Sam was a very creative radio producer. One of his famous radio shows was This is Northern Ireland, An Ulster Journey (1949). This show was special because it mixed real sounds, poetry, music, and narration.

He liked to include the voices of everyday people in his work. He wanted to show Northern Ireland through the lives and traditions of its people. He also worked with W. R. Rodgers on a radio feature called The Return Room (1955). This was a very important Irish radio show after World War II.

The "Club of Ten"

In the 1940s, Sam Hanna Bell was part of a group of thinkers. They called themselves "the club of ten." These people were members of the Linen Hall Library.

They met every week at Campbell's cafe, which was next to the library. This group included other writers, actors, and important people like John Hewitt and Robert Greacen.

Awards and Legacy

In 1977, Sam Hanna Bell received an MBE award. This award recognized his important contributions to the culture of Northern Ireland.

His novel December Bride was made into a successful film in 1990. A film critic named Fintan O'Toole said the movie was a "remarkable artistic achievement." He also said it helped show the rich history of the area. In 1999, December Bride was chosen as one of the "200 Best Novels in English Since 1950."

Sam Hanna Bell passed away on February 9, 1990, at the age of 80. This was just before the film of December Bride was released. On October 15, 2009, a special blue plaque was put on his house in Belfast. This plaque honors him and marks the place where he wrote December Bride.