Alan Paton was born on January 11, 1903 in Pietermaritzburg, Natal, South Africa. He was a writer and producer, known for Denn sie sollen getröstet werden (1951), Lost in the Stars (1974) and Cry, the Beloved Country (1995). He was previously married to Doris Olive Francis. He died on April 12, 1988 in Lintrose, Botha's Hill, Natal, South Africa.