MARRIOTT WATSON DEAD.

Auckland Star, Volume LII, Issue 260, 1 November 1921, Page 5

MARRIOTT WATSON DEAD.

EX-NEW ZEALAND NOVELIST. LONDON, October 31. The death is announced of Mr. H. B. Marriott , Watson, the well known novelist. —(A. and N.Z. Cable.) Hanry Marrioti Watson, who was a popular novelist for 30 years, was partly a New Zealander. He was born in Melbourne iii 1893, and wen: as a boy to live in Christchureb, where his fathei; was incumbent of St. John's, Latimer Square. After bein geuueated in Christchurch, he went as a young man to England, where be quickly won success in journalism. He wrote for the "National Observer," and was assistant editor of "Black and White" and the "Pall Mall Gazette." He became a close ffScnd of Barries in the days when tbe famous Scottish writer was making his name, and lived with him for some years. He also attracted the favourable notice of George Meredith, and like many other writers, showed in his style signs of the great novelist's influence. Mr. Watson began his career as a novelist in IS3S, and wrote novels regularly until his death. He had an unusual gift for romance and an engaging style. His wife, Rosamund Harriot Watson, who died a few years ago, was one of the most gifted of the inrnor poets of her time. After her death Mr. Watson took up spiritualism ardently. Their only son was killed in the war.