Orwell's BBC Annual Report

The BBC annual staff report found George Orwell to be an individual of high moral worth, incapable of subterfuge and one whose literary abilities make his work 'distinguished'. The document also warns that Orwell's scripts require close attention, as they can shock the more 'Conservatively minded' on occasion. Nevertheless, he gets his £40 increment - the annual BBC pay rise.

Orwell was astonishingly prolific. As well as spending long hours working at the BBC and attending to his Home Guard duties, he found time to write several long essays and regularly contribute to 'The Observer'. In addition, he wrote articles for 'Tribune' magazine, where he was to become literary editor later in the year.