George Mikes Biography

George Mikes, Writer
Born asMikes György
Occup.Writer
FromHungary
BornFebruary 15, 1912
Siklós, Kingdom of Hungary, Austria-Hungary
DiedAugust 30, 1987
London, England
Aged75 years
Early Life and Education
George Mikes (born György Mikes) was born upon February 15, 1912, in Siklós, Hungary. He matured in a middle-class Jewish household and took pleasure in a comfy upbringing. At a young age, George Mikes became deeply thinking about literature and languages which he looked for to pursue throughout his scholastic years.

Mikes went to local schools in his home town prior to enrolling at Eötvös Loránd University in Budapest, where he studied law and viewpoint. During his time at the university, he began his composing profession with contributions to different Hungarian papers and literary publications.

Profession
After finishing his education, George Mikes worked as a self-employed reporter in Hungary, which supplied him with the opportunity to sharpen his composing skills. He continued to establish his literary career while working as a journalist and playwright in Hungary.

In 1938, he went to London as a foreign correspondent for Hungarian papers. However, soon after his arrival, World War II broke out, and he chose to stay in England. Mikes soon ended up being referred to as a supporter for the Hungarian cause and continued to live and work in London for the rest of his life. Throughout the years, he became a popular writer whose works were popular in England along with Hungary.

George Mikes is best remembered for his funny books on the English way of life, starting with "How to be an Alien" (1946), which ended up being an instant hit. This success led him to compose various follow-ups, including "How to be Inimitable" (1960), "How to be Decadent" (1960) and "How to be Poor" (1978). In addition, Mikes produced a number of other books and essays connected to politics, viewpoint, and society.

A few of the popular people related to Mikes consist of fellow writers and journalists such as Arthur Koestler, a longtime good friend and Hungarian émigré, and Stephen Spender, a British poet and literary critic. Mikes kept close connections with the literary and intellectual community in London throughout his career.

Personal Life
George Mikes wed two times in his life. In 1938, he married Kata Kaszner, who was likewise from Hungary. They had a child named Tamas together, born in 1941. After they divorced, Mikes wed for the second time in 1968 to Janine Laurès, a Frenchwoman. They had actually a child called Caroline together.

Mikes liked to take a trip, specifically within Europe, and was proud of his Hungarian heritage. In spite of residing in the United Kingdom for much of his life, he never ever lost touch with his Hungarian roots and frequently went to Hungary.

Death and Legacy
George Mikes died on August 30, 1987, in London, at the age of 75. His legacy lives on through his funny observations of English culture and his written works that recorded the subtleties of life in the United Kingdom for an immigrant.

Not just did his writing serve as a source of entertainment to both English and Hungarian readers, but it likewise supplied insight into the intricacies and eccentricities of British culture. George Mikes' work has actually been valued by generations of readers and will continue to be enjoyed in the years to come.

Our collection contains 7 quotes who is written / told by George.

Related authors: Lawrence Taylor (Athlete), Arthur Koestler (Novelist)

George Mikes Famous Works:
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7 Famous quotes by George Mikes

Small: Many Continentals think life is a game the English think cricket is a game
"Many Continentals think life is a game; the English think cricket is a game"
Small: An Englishman, even if he is alone, forms an orderly queue of one
"An Englishman, even if he is alone, forms an orderly queue of one"
Small: When people say England, they sometimes mean Great Britain, sometimes the United Kingdom, sometimes the
"When people say England, they sometimes mean Great Britain, sometimes the United Kingdom, sometimes the British Isles, - but never England"
Small: In England only uneducated people show off their knowledge nobody quotes Latin or Greek authors in the
"In England only uneducated people show off their knowledge; nobody quotes Latin or Greek authors in the course of conversation, unless he has never read them"
Small: On the Continent people have good food in England people have good table manners
"On the Continent people have good food; in England people have good table manners"
Small: Jokes are better than war. Even the most aggressive jokes are better than the least aggressive wars.
"Jokes are better than war. Even the most aggressive jokes are better than the least aggressive wars. Even the longest jokes are better than the shortest wars"
Small: The world still consists of two clearly divided groups: the English and the foreigners. One group consi
"The world still consists of two clearly divided groups: the English and the foreigners. One group consists of less than 50 million people; the other of 3,950 million. The latter group does not really count"