British literary agent Andrew Hewson, founder, director, and former chairman of the Johnson & Alcock literary agency, has died. He was 83. The Bookseller reported that Hewson "began his career working front-of-house at the Newcastle Playhouse, and was hired in 1969 by the literary agent John Johnson, brother of actress Dame Celia Johnson and founder of his eponymous agency."
He acquired the agency when Johnson retired in 1977, with his wife, Margaret Hewson, joining him soon after to become a "formidable professional partnership" that lasted until her death in 2002. Noting that the agency had a "brilliantly eclectic list," the Bookseller wrote that Andrew Hewson represented some international bestsellers, including The White Hotel by D.M. Thomas, the thriller Night Sky by Clare Francis, and Candlenight by Phil Rickman. He also oversaw the early career of Maeve Binchy and in 1985 began representing Beryl Bainbridge.
A tribute to him read: "He was a man of immense culture and refinement, compassionate, with a warmth of understanding and impeccable literary judgement. His legacy survives in the agency that he ran for almost 50 years, and it will continue to champion his belief in looking after authors with kindness, humility and decency."
Author James Hamilton-Paterson said Hewson "was conscientious to a fault, intimidatingly well-read and with an encyclopedic recall of authors and titles that never deserted him. A devoted father to Anna and his grandchildren, he had a wide circle of unusual friends and acquaintances, all of whom loved him for his great good humor and unfailing kindness."
Charlie Campbell, managing director of Greyhound Literary, commented: "Andrew Hewson may well have been the nicest person in publishing. He was also a brilliant literary agent. I was lucky enough to start out as his assistant's maternity cover in 2004 and I immediately thought 'this is what publishing should be like' (just as the industry was about to change even more). Funny, warm and so self-effacing, he leaves a lasting legacy, with his agency and clients in excellent hands. He will be much missed."