A.J. Alan

A.J. Alan was an American author of science fiction and fantasy stories. He was born in New York City in 1891 and died in 1971. He wrote several stories for the pulp magazine Weird Tales, including the novel H2, which was published in 1941. He also wrote stories for other magazines, such as Amazing Stories and Astounding Stories. He was a member of the Science Fiction Writers of America and was a frequent contributor to the magazine Fantasy Magazine. He was also a member of the National Fantasy Fan... AI Generated Content

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Biography

A.J. Alan, the pseudonym of Leslie Harrison Lambert (1883-1941), was one of Britain's most beloved and mysterious radio personalities. Born in Nottingham and educated at Rugby School, Lambert initially trained as a surveyor before discovering his twin passions for magic and storytelling. He became a successful member of The Magic Circle, performing at society events throughout London, while simultaneously developing his skills as a raconteur of unusual and supernatural tales.

Lambert's entry into broadcasting came through a simple suggestion to the fledgling British Broadcasting Company in 1924. His first broadcast, 'My Adventure in Jermyn Street,' aired on January 31, 1924, and was an immediate sensation. What set A.J. Alan apart was his carefully crafted conversational style that made his fantastical stories sound like genuine personal anecdotes. He meticulously prepared each tale, taking months to perfect the timing and delivery, yet made them appear spontaneous and off-the-cuff.

Beyond his broadcasting fame, Lambert led a remarkable double life as a government intelligence officer. He worked at the Admiralty's Naval Intelligence Room 40 during World War I, intercepting German radio transmissions, and later served at Bletchley Park during World War II as a senior cryptographer. His identity as A.J. Alan remained secret throughout his career, known only to BBC executives and discovered publicly just once in 1933 when an old school friend recognized his voice. He maintained his broadcasting schedule until ill health forced his retirement, making his final broadcast on March 21, 1940, just two years before his death.

Major Works & Series

BBC Radio Tales (1924-1940)

A collection of mysterious and humorous short stories broadcast live on BBC Radio, featuring supernatural encounters, strange coincidences, and macabre adventures told in A.J. Alan's distinctive conversational style.

My Adventure in Jermyn Street (1924)

The Dream (1925)

My Adventure in Norfolk (1926)

The Hair (1927)

The Diver (1928)

Coincidence (1930)

The Voice (1932)

The Photograph (1935)

Masterpiece: My Adventure in Jermyn Street (1924)

The story that launched A.J. Alan's broadcasting career, featuring a mysterious theatre ticket, a sinister apartment, and the signature blend of suspense and dark humor that made him famous. This tale of an ordinary man drawn into extraordinary circumstances established the template for all his subsequent broadcasts.

Literary Significance & Legacy

A.J. Alan revolutionized radio broadcasting by proving that storytelling could be as compelling as music or news on the wireless. His success paved the way for radio drama and influenced generations of broadcasters who understood the intimate power of the spoken word. He demonstrated that radio was not merely a medium for transmitting existing content, but a unique art form capable of creating new kinds of narrative experiences that existed nowhere else.

His influence extended far beyond entertainment, helping to establish the BBC's reputation for quality programming during its crucial early years. The mystery surrounding his identity became part of his legend, creating a new model of celebrity that separated the performer from the persona. His meticulous preparation methods and understanding of radio's technical limitations influenced broadcast standards and practices that are still evident today in radio drama production.

"He always wore a dinner jacket and was described as a neat figure in perfectly cut evening dress, with eye glass and a slim black brief case."

Stuart Hibberd, BBC announcer

Quick Facts

Real name was Leslie Harrison Lambert; the identity behind A.J. Alan remained secret for most of his career
Worked as a cryptographer at Bletchley Park during World War II
Member of The Magic Circle and performed magic at society events
Only broadcast about five times per year, spending months perfecting each story
Used cards instead of papers during broadcasts to avoid rustling sounds
Kept a candle lit during live broadcasts in case the electricity failed
His identity was discovered only once, in 1933, by an old school friend in Jamaica
Made his final broadcast on March 21, 1940, due to declining health

Best Starting Points

My Adventure in Jermyn Street
The perfect introduction to A.J. Alan's style, this inaugural broadcast showcases his gift for building suspense through seemingly ordinary circumstances that spiral into mystery and danger.
My Adventure in Norfolk
A masterclass in atmospheric storytelling that demonstrates how A.J. Alan could transform a simple countryside encounter into a tale of supernatural dread and dark humor.
The Dream
One of his most popular stories, blending reality and nightmare in a way that perfectly captures the unsettling quality that made his broadcasts so memorable.
Good Evening, Everyone! (Collection)
The essential anthology containing his most famous tales, originally published in 1928 and providing the full range of his storytelling abilities.

Famous Characters

The Unnamed Narrator
A.J. Alan himself, the seemingly ordinary gentleman who finds himself in extraordinary circumstances, representing the everyman drawn into mystery and adventure.
George
The mysterious brother from 'My Adventure in Jermyn Street,' whose sinister apartment becomes the setting for an increasingly dangerous encounter.
The Lady in the Theatre
The enigmatic woman who appears in several stories, drawing the narrator into adventures that blur the line between reality and nightmare.
The Wireless Voice
The supernatural presence that haunts radio broadcasts in 'The Voice,' representing the era's fascination with new technology and its mysterious possibilities.
The Photographer's Subject
The eerie figure that appears in developed photographs in 'The Photograph,' embodying A.J. Alan's gift for finding horror in the mundane.
The Norfolk Stranger
The unsettling figure encountered in the countryside, representing the dark undercurrents beneath England's peaceful rural surface.