Lionel Hale (1909-1977) was a critic, broadcaster and playwright.He was born in Beckenham, Kent, England, on 26 October 1909.He appeared as a "castaway" on the BBC Radio programme Desert Island Discs on 3 January 1958.His wife, Betty Taylor died in 1952. Their son was the publisher and literary agent James Hale (born 1946). Lionel subsequently married Crystal Pudney, the daughter of A. P. Herbert.Hale died in 1977.