H. V. (Henry Vollam) Morton

Born in Ashton-under-Lyne, Lancashire, in 1892, H. V. Morton was an English journalist and travel writer whose full name was Henry Canova Vollam Morton. He began in newspapers and became widely known in 1923 for his coverage of the opening of Tutankhamun’s tomb while working for the Daily Express.

Morton went on to become one of the most popular travel writers of his era. His books, including The Heart of London and In Search of England, mixed history, place, and personal observation in a warm, accessible style that appealed to both travelers and armchair explorers. He was especially known for writing about London, Britain, and the Holy Land.

Later in life he lived in South Africa, where he died in 1979. Though his reputation has shifted over time, his best work is still remembered for its strong sense of place and for helping shape modern travel writing in English.