Edward Pygge

Who is Edward Pygge?

Edward Pygge was a pseudonym used by Ian Hamilton, John Fuller, Clive James, Russell Davies and Julian Barnes.

Hamilton invented the name, and he and James used it for satirical poems attacking current poetic fashions in Hamilton's influential literary magazine The Review. Davies wrote poems too and performed work at a one-night show at the ICA in the Mall, unofficially called The Edward Pygge Revue. John Fuller and Colin Falck also wrote one or two pieces as Pygge for The Review.

Pygge made it to two double-page spreads in the New Statesman, and there inspired contributors to their poetry competition wanting to submit a spoof; thus Edwina Pygge, Kedward Pygge and Hedwig Pygge.

Later, in Hamilton's next magazine, The New Review, Barnes also wrote a column under the name.