Alan Paton Alan Paton was born on January 11, 1903 in Pietermaritzburg,South Africa.After graduating from Maritzburg College in 1918,he studied at the University of Natal, where he graduated with distinction in physics.After leaving school, Paton became a science teacher in 1925.In 1935 he left his teaching position to become the principal of the Diepkloof Reformatory for delinquent urban African boys near Alan Paton Johannesburg. 3.Alan Paton Alan Paton was born on January 11, 1903 in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa. After graduating from Maritzburg College in 1918, he studied at the University of Natal, where he graduated with distinction in physics. After leaving school, Paton became a science teacher in 1925. In 1935 he left his teaching position to become the principal of the Diepkloof Reformatory for delinquent urban African boys near Johannesburg. Alan Paton