John Black Atkins (5 November 1871 – 1954)[1] was a British journalist. He served as thewar correspondent for theManchester Guardian in theSpanish–American War, theGreco-Turkish War[citation needed] and in theSecond Boer War. He also wrote the biography ofWilliam Howard Russell.[2]
He was the third son of James Bucknell Atkins ofAnerley, born on 5 November 1871. He was educated atMarlborough College, matriculating in 1889 atPembroke College, Cambridge, where he graduated B.A. in 1892 and M.A. in 1896.[3] At Cambridge, he ran againstWilliam Beach Thomas ofOxford University when competing in theCambridge University athletics team.[4]
After Cambridge, Atkins joinedThe Manchester Guardian. He left England on 23 April 1898[5] as the first special correspondent of the newspaper[1] to cover theSpanish–American War of 1898 in bothCuba andPuerto Rico.[6] Atkins covered theBattle of El Caney[6] and accompanied GeneralWilliam Rufus Shafter's army in theCapture of Santiago[7] in Cuba. InPuerto Rico he covered the attack on Asomante Heights and interviewed GeneralNelson A. Miles.
Atkins was specially chosen byCharles Prestwich Scott, the then editor of theManchester Guardian to cover theSecond Boer War for his journalistic skills. Scott who sought to reflect his newspaper as a neutral force in the opposition of the war chose Atkins for his non-imperialistic views. Yet as the war progressed, Atkins tended to support the war effort sticking only to the facts.[8]
Atkins became a friend of fellow correspondentWinston Churchill (laterPrime Minister of the United Kingdom) whom he described as "slim, slightly reddish-haired, pale, lively, frequently plunging along the deck".[9] He later published the bookThe Relief of Ladysmith based on his experience in the Boer War.[6] On his return to England, he was promoted to London editor in 1901.[1] He leftThe Manchester Guardian in 1907 and joinedThe Spectator as an assistant editor. He held that position until 1926.[3]
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