ATTICUS

Having started with the Times newspaper group in 1939, in November 1953 Fleming takes on the role of Atticus in the Sunday Times. The pseudonymous weekly feature is the only column in the paper at the time, covering society gossip, juicy facts and flights of fancy. Ian holds the position until August 1955, assisted by an array of ghost writers including his future biographer, John Pearson. Atticus offers a window to a cosmopolitan lifestyle and in December 1954, features a recipe for the exotic dish, garlic bread, described as ‘sensational’.

John Pearson recounts, ‘For one of Ian’s more unusual story ideas for the column, he sent me off in search of the most ridiculous and expensive Christmas presents in London. After looking at my findings, he chose a very expensive gold-plated egg decapitator, which sliced the top of a boiled egg perfectly. Because the column was credited only to Atticus, Ian was able to reveal his personality without fear of ridicule.’

From octopuses and squids, to heraldry, diamonds and cormorant fishing in Japan, Fleming’s Atticus column includes a range of stories and ideas that he expands on in his 007 novels. Fleming has a love for facts – the stranger the better and on 4th April 1954, Atticus dives into the world of octopuses and squids; three years later, James Bond is battling with a squid in Dr. No and encounters a pet octopus in his 1966 short story, Octopussy. Diamonds and Japanese cormorant fishing are the subject of Atticus’ 18th April column. Ten years later, 1964’s You Only Live Twice sees Kissy Susuki train a cormorant named David (after David Niven) to catch fish for her. The sparkling world of precious gems trading resurfaces in Diamonds Are Forever (1956) and The Diamond Smugglers (1957).

Fleming retains working as a journalist at the Sunday Times, taking two months off each year to write his books, until his death in 1964.