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John Healy (born 1943) is an Irish writer and former tournament chess player. Early life and personal life. He was born in London in 1943 [1] to Irish immigrant parents in London's Kentish Town. Leaving school at the age of 14, he spent his formative years in the army, where he had a successful boxing career.
John Healey (born 13 February 1960) is a British politician serving as Secretary of State for Defence since July 2024. A member of the Labour Party, he has been Member of Parliament (MP) for Rawmarsh and Conisbrough, formerly Wentworth and Wentworth and Dearne respectively, since 1997 . Healey served under Tony Blair as Parliamentary Under ...
May 25, 2012 · An ex-soldier, ex-boxer, ex-wino and ex-prisoner, turned chess master turned writer: a true one-off literary sensation. Faber & Faber published his book, The Grass Arena. It went on to win the JR Ackerley Prize for autobiography. Harold Pinter described it as ‘terrific’. A BBC film adaptation was praised to the hilt.
Mar 7, 2013 · The John Healy Story: From Homeless Wino, to Author, to Chess Genius. He fought other homeless winos in the street, then won book awards, then played tournament chess. DW. by Dan Wilkinson. March...
The son of Irish immigrants, John Healy lived rough on the violent streets of London for fifteen years, drinking heavily and turning to crime to survive. On one stint in prison he was taught the basics of chess by his cellmate. This became his new addiction as alcohol was left behind.
Aug 4, 2008 · Born in London in 1943 to poor Irish immigrants, he had a childhood that was blighted by violence and rejection, first from his rabidly religious father and...
Sep 26, 2013 · John Healy was born on 11 November 1942 in London, the son of Irish immigrants. Consistently beaten by his father, he left school at 14 and took up boxing. According to his trainer George Francis, ‘Healy at 16 was a supreme stylist possessing concussive power in both hands.
