History

John Galsworthy

International P.E.N. was founded in London in 1921 by Mrs. C. A. Dawson Scott. Its first president was John Galsworthy. As the only worldwide association of writers, its aims are to promote intellectual co-operation and understanding among writers; to create a world community of writers that will emphasise the central role of literature in the development of world culture; to defend literature against the many threats to its survival which the modern world poses.

International cultural co-operation in the field of literature and the development of understanding cannot exist without freedom of expression. PEN acts as a powerful voice in opposing political censorship and speaking for writers harassed, imprisoned, and sometimes murdered for the expression of their views. PEN is strictly non-political, holding Category A status at UNESCO and consultative status within the UN roster category. 

PEN in its early years had Centres only in Europe, but writers of other nations joined PEN enthusiastically and in 1926 members from fifteen nations met in Berlin. Today PEN is composed of 141 Centres in 99 countries. Its membership is open to all published writers regardless of nationality, language, race, colour or religion. Each Centre acts as an autonomous cultural and intellectual organisation within its own country and individual Centres organise regional conferences and seminars. All Centres maintain links with each other through PEN's headquarters, International PEN.

Among early members were Joseph Conrad, George Bernard Shaw and H.G. Wells. Centres were soon started in Europe, with such writers as Anatole France, Paul Valery, Thomas Mann, Benedetto Croce and Karel Capek playing active parts in the life and work of PEN. Over the years members have included Nobel Prize winners and other eminent writers from all over the world. Among PEN's Presidents have been Alberto Moravia, Heinrich Böll, Arthur Miller, Pierre Emmanuel, Mario Vargas Llosa and György Konrád. 

PEN's highest authority, the Assembly of Delegates, consisting of representatives from each Centre, meets at the annual PEN Congress, where, in addition to the work of the Assembly, cultural events and literary forums are held, through which PEN seeks to mobilise the intelligence and imagination of its members in support of its ideals. The international and diverse character of International PEN is reflected in its Executive Committee, which consists of the President, the Treasurer and seven members elected from among PEN's worldwide membership. 

For more information read Standing Aside from Politics by Josephine Pullein Thompson