John Willett Payne

John Willett Payne (23 April 1752 – 17 November 1803) was an officer of the Royal Navy who also served as a close friend, advisor and courtier to Prince George before and during his first regency. Payne was notorious as a rake and scoundrel, but was also a Member of Parliament and noted for his bravery in several military actions during the American Revolutionary War and the French Revolutionary Wars. Out of favour in his later years, Payne was reconciled with the Prince in 1799, but died whilst still in the service aged 51, from an illness which developed during blockade operations in the Western Approaches.

Early career

Payne was born in 1752, son of Ralph Payne, Chief Justice of St Kitts and his wife Margaret née Gallaway. His elder brother Ralph Payne would later become Baron Lavington. Payne was educated at Dr. Bracken's Academy in Greenwich and later attended the Royal Naval Academy at Portsmouth to train as an officer. During this time he became friends with Hugh Seymour Conway, with whom he had a lifelong friendship and close naval partnership. In 1769 he left the academy to join HMS Quebec.

John Willett

John Willett (24 June 1917 – 20 August 2002) was a British translator and a scholar who is remembered for translating the work of Bertolt Brecht into English.

Early life

Willett was educated at Winchester and Christ Church, Oxford. He went on to the Manchester College of Art and dance, and then to Vienna, where he studied music (Willett played the cello) and stage design.

Willett began his career as a Theatre Designer. However, this career was cut short by World War II. He served in Intelligence and the Eighth Army, in North Africa and Italy. After being de-mobilised, Willett worked first for the Manchester Guardian from 1948 to 1951, and then 1960 he became the deputy to Arthur Crook, the editor of The Times Literary Supplement. Willett remained there until 1967.

Later life

Willett became a freelance writer, an editor and translator, a Theatre director, and a visiting professor and lecturer. He was respected in academic circles for his patient work and careful research in translation, especially in German culture and politics. Famous relatives include Chris Martin of Coldplay, Jamie Willett, Matthew Willett and George Willett.