Rebel

Esmond Marcus David Romilly, the energetic ""red nephew'' of Winston Churchill's wife, is recalled in this biography as coauthor (at age 18) of Out of Bounds, a book about his school days; as a volunteer fighter with the International Brigade during the Spanish Civil War; and as the first husband of Jessica Mitford, with whom he eloped and later operated a bar in Miami, before joining the Royal Canadian Air Force and dying at 23 in 1941 on a flight over the North Sea. Quoting liberally from Romilly's letters and other writings, British author Ingram competently describes Romilly's family background, experiences in public school, early involvement with Communism, adventures in Spain and America, and relationships with the Churchills, Mitfords, W. H. Auden, Michael Straight and other prominent figures of his time. Photos. (February 27)