Q.847

Bush House was the iconic headquarters for the BBC World Service for over fifty years. In 2012, the lease ran out and the BBC moved out.

It also had a literary connection: an author, who was briefly part of the Eastern Service (and reportedly hated his time there) was inspired by some of the rooms (including a canteen) and included them in one of his best known books.

Which author, and which book?

From my Mood Indigo quiz at IIT Bombay, 2012

[+ Show Answer]

George Orwell, "1984". An example is the dreaded Room 101. More reading at the Telegraph.

This day last year: Q.481