James Kantor

James Kantor (26 February 1927 – 1974) was a South African lawyer and writer.

James Kantor was born in Johannesburg. As a lawyer, he was renowned for his ability in criminal and matrimonial cases. Later, on moving to England, he became a writer.

Rivonia Trial

Kantor was one of the defence lawyers in the Rivonia Trial until his brother-in-law Harold Wolpe, one of the accused, managed to escape. At this stage, Kantor was himself arrested and charged with the same crimes as Mandela and the other defendants. Harry Schwarz, a close friend and a well-known politician, stepped in to act as his defence lawyer in the trial. After aggressive treatment by the prosecutor Percy Yutar, who sought to portray Kantor as a vital cog of MK, finally Judge Quartus de Wet discharged Kantor, stating 'Accused No 8 has no case to answer'.

Later life

Kantor fled South Africa and settled in London, working in publications for the film industry. He married and he and his wife Barbara had two daughters and he also adopted Barbara's two sons from a previous marriage. He wrote an autobiography, called A Healthy Grave. However, his health had never recovered from the harsh treatment while in prison awaiting trial, and he died of a massive heart attack in 1974.

References

• Kantor, James. A Healthy Grave - An Apartheid Prison Memoir, (1967) London, Hamish Hamilton
• Kantor, James. A Healthy Grave, (1969) Berlin, Seven Seas