Alexander Sand, 1901-1945

Abstract

Alexander Sand was of Russian-Jewish extraction and born in Warsaw on 28 December 1901. His father belonged to the Menshevik party and the family came to England when Alec was six years old. He was educated at an L.C.C. school in Hampstead from 1909-1912, and then at Owen’s School, Islington, where he was from 1913-1920. While there he took no science but rose to the sixth form on the arts side. One of his masters recalls that he had a neat and orderly mind and was extraordinarily bright, ‘as sharp as a needle’, an expression which aptly fits him in his maturer years. A contemporary of his writes: ‘He was a person of considerable physical strength and fine physique, a good gymnast, though not an outstanding athlete. He was an exceptionally good pianist, and although he ultimately became a scientist he had literary and cultural standards far above those of the ordinary schoolboy, and artistic qualities which would have carried him far had he chosen a different walk in life. As an example of his versatility one might cite his playing the parts of Hippolytus and Falstaff with equal distinction. The character which remains most in my mind, however, is the polished wit and trenchant humour with which he met, observed and dealt with all the things he encountered. He was tolerant, yet intolerant of pettiness, and he appeared to despise any but clear thinking and honest purpose. He did not make friends easily, because others were apt to think him too censorious of mediocrity, but he was essentially a friendly person, and to those who ultimately knew him well, a source of inspiration, entertainment and wisdom.’