Evelyn Waugh Biography
Born as | Arthur Evelyn St. John Waugh |
Occup. | Author |
From | United Kingdom |
Born | October 28, 1903 London, England |
Died | April 10, 1966 Combe Florey, Somerset, England |
Cause | Heart attack |
Aged | 62 years |
Early Life
Arthur Evelyn St. John Waugh, also known as Evelyn Waugh, was born upon October 28, 1903, in London, United Kingdom, to Arthur Waugh, a successful publisher and literary critic, and his other half, Catherine. He had an older brother called Alec who would likewise end up being a popular novelist and biographer.
Evelyn got his early education at Heath Mount School in Hampstead and later on attended Lancing College, a boarding school in West Sussex. Regardless of not excelling academically, he developed an eager interest in literature and started writing stories and poems in his youth. Waugh had a struggling relationship with his father and often felt eclipsed by his more effective brother.
University Life
Waugh continued his education at Hertford College, Oxford, where he studied history. His experiences at Oxford played an important function in forming his literary tastes and social views. During this time, Waugh became part of the Hypocrites' Club, a group of iconoclastic boys whose members would later motivate many characters in his books. Waugh's association with the club eventually led him to establish a credibility as a dandy and wit.
Despite a lack of commitment to his research studies, Waugh managed to finish with a third-class degree in history in 1924.
Career Beginnings
After leaving Oxford, Waugh initially tried to pursue a profession in mentor and worked as a schoolmaster at various organizations, including Aston Clinton School in Buckinghamshire. Nevertheless, he quickly recognized that mentor was not his calling and turned his attention to writing. In 1928, he published his very first book, "Decline and Fall", based upon his mentor experiences.
Literary Success
"Decline and Fall" got immediate success, marking the start of Waugh's renowned literary career. The novel's sharp wit and satirical representation of British society made him prevalent admiration. Following this, Waugh released "Vile Bodies" (1930), which spoofed the unimportant way of life of the young upper-class in the interwar duration. This book further solidified his reputation as a leading satirist of his time.
During the 1930s, Waugh produced a series of books, each handling different aspects of British society and culture. Some of his noteworthy works during this period consist of "A Handful of Dust" (1934), which explored the decay of aristocratic values, and "Scoop" (1938), a satire of sensationalist journalism.
World War II and Later Career
At the outbreak of World War II, Waugh employed in the British Army and served in numerous capacities throughout the war. His wartime experiences provided the basis for numerous of his later works, consisting of "Men at Arms" (1952), "Officers and Gentlemen" (1955), and "Unconditional Surrender" (1961), which together form the "Sword of Honour" trilogy-- considered by numerous as his most substantial accomplishment.
Waugh's disgust with post-war Britain and its perceived moral decrease led him to accept conservative and Roman Catholic worths in his works. His 1945 novel, "Brideshead Revisited", is possibly the best example of this shift, exploring styles of fond memories, faith, and the decrease of the upper class.
In the 1950s and 1960s, Waugh continued to compose prolifically, producing essays, biographies, and take a trip accounts in addition to his fiction works. Much of these bore the trademark of his caustic wit and biting satire.
Personal Life
Waugh wed twice throughout his life time. His first marital relationship, to Evelyn Gardner in 1928, ended in an extensively advertised divorce after a short period. The couple had no children. In 1937, he married Laura Herbert, with whom he had seven children. Waugh's personal life was typically overshadowed by his rough relationships, bouts of anxiety, and problems coming from his conservative outlook on life.
Death and Legacy
Evelyn Waugh passed away at the age of 62 on April 10, 1966, at his home in Combe Florey, Somerset. His last years were marked by decreasing health and increasing bitterness towards the altering world around him.
Waugh's contribution to English literature is huge, and his novels continue to read and admired to this day. Frequently considered as one of the finest satirists and prose stylists of the 20th century, Waugh's work encapsulated the shifting cultural and social landscape of the time while offering acerbic commentary on the human condition. His influence on subsequent generations of authors and satirists is immense, and he remains a vital figure in the record of British literature.
Our collection contains 32 quotes who is written / told by Evelyn.
Related authors: Auberon Waugh (Author), Anthony Powell (Novelist), Ice T (Musician), Lawrence Taylor (Athlete)
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