A. Neil (Albert Neil) Lyons

Born in Kimberley, South Africa, in 1880, A. Neil Lyons came to England as a child and was educated at Bedford Grammar School. Sources describe him as having tried legal and accountancy training before turning to journalism, and from 1899 he worked largely for the Topical Times.

Lyons went on to become a prolific author and playwright. His best-known stage work was London Pride (1916), written with Gladys Unger and described as a play for London audiences; he also published fiction, sketches, and short stories, including collections such as Sixpenny Pieces.

Although he is not widely read today, Lyons seems to have been valued for his energetic storytelling and his interest in the rhythms of city life. He died in 1940, leaving behind work that bridges popular journalism, theater, and light fiction from the early 20th century.