Arthur Koestler

Date of Birth: September 5, 1905

Zodiac Sign: Virgo

Date of Death: March 1, 1983

Biography

Arthur Koestler was born on September 5, 1905, in Budapest, Hungary, and became one of the 20th century’s most significant writers and intellectuals. He was a novelist, journalist, and essayist known for his penetrating insights into the political and social issues of his time. Koestler’s most famous work, “Darkness at Noon,” published in 1940, is a haunting exploration of totalitarianism and remains a seminal text in political literature. Koestler’s early life was marked by a series of upheavals; he fled Hungary for Vienna in the aftermath of World War I and later moved to Germany, where he became involved in the Communist Party. His commitment to communism waned after witnessing the brutal realities of Stalinist Russia, leading to his eventual disillusionment and departure from the party. Throughout his career, Koestler wrote extensively on a variety of topics, including science, philosophy, and human psychology. His other notable works include “The Ghost in the Machine,” “The Sleepwalkers,” and “The Act of Creation.” He was a prolific author whose writings continue to provoke thought and debate. Koestler was also known for his advocacy of human rights and his involvement in various political movements. His complex legacy includes both his literary contributions and his often-controversial personal life.

5 Interesting Facts about Arthur Koestler

1. Arthur Koestler was imprisoned multiple times for his political activities, including a stint in a Spanish jail during the Spanish Civil War.

2. He helped found the Congress for Cultural Freedom, an anti-communist advocacy group.

3. Koestler was awarded the Sonning Prize in 1968 for his contributions to European culture.

4. He was a polyglot, fluent in several languages including Hungarian, German, English, and French.

5. Koestler and his wife Cynthia committed suicide together in 1983, a decision reportedly influenced by his terminal illness and her desire not to live without him.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Arthur Koestler

1. “The most persistent sound which reverberates through man’s history is the beating of war drums.”

2. “Creative activity could be described as a type of learning process where teacher and pupil are located in the same individual.”

3. “Courage is never to let your actions be influenced by your fears.”

4. “The principal mark of genius is not perfection but originality, the opening of new frontiers.”

5. “The more original a discovery, the more obvious it seems afterwards.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Arthur Koestler’s highest net worth is not well-documented, but he was financially successful enough to leave a substantial bequest to support research into the paranormal.