Anthony Sampson, 78; Journalist Wrote Mandela Biography

Anthony Sampson, 78, a British journalist and biographer of former South African President Nelson Mandela, died Saturday at his home in Wiltshire, England, of unspecified causes.

Most recently a columnist for the Independent of London, Sampson wrote more than 20 books on social and political issues in Britain and South Africa. His landmark volume was 1962’s “The Anatomy of Britain,” which he had recently updated under the title “Who Runs This Place?: The Anatomy of Britain in the 21st Century.”

Sampson also earned critical acclaim for his 1999 book “Mandela: The Authorized Biography.” He had befriended the South African leader in the 1950s when he edited what became that country’s influential anti-apartheid magazine Drum.

The Oxford-educated writer joined England’s Observer newspaper in 1955 and wrote about his African adventures in his 1956 book “Drum: A Venture into the New Africa.”

He returned frequently to South Africa, and in 1964 covered Mandela’s trial on charges of sabotage. He also helped craft Mandela’s historic speech from the courtroom dock.

Mandela, imprisoned until 1990, served as president of South Africa from 1994 to 1999.