Barry Unsworth

Date of Birth: August 10, 1930

Zodiac Sign: Leo

Date of Death: June 4, 2012

Biography

Barry Unsworth was a distinguished British writer born on August 10, 1930, in Wingate, County Durham, England. He is best known for his historical novels, which often explore themes of morality, power, and the human condition. Unsworth was educated at Stockton-on-Tees Grammar School and served in the Royal Navy before attending the University of Manchester, where he earned a degree in English. His writing career began with the publication of his first novel, “The Partnership,” in 1966. Unsworth’s literary career spanned over four decades, during which he wrote 17 novels. His novel “Sacred Hunger” (1992), which examines the 18th-century Atlantic slave trade, won the Booker Prize, sharing the award with Michael Ondaatje’s “The English Patient.” Another notable work, “Morality Play” (1995), was shortlisted for the same prestigious award and adapted into a film. In addition to his novels, Unsworth was a respected academic, teaching at various universities, including the University of Iowa and the University of Rome. He divided his time between England and Italy, where he lived for many years until his death on June 4, 2012, in Perugia, Italy.

5 Interesting Facts about Barry Unsworth

1. Barry Unsworth won the Booker Prize in 1992 for his novel “Sacred Hunger.”

2. He was shortlisted three times for the Booker Prize, for “Pascali’s Island” (1980), “Morality Play” (1995), and “Sacred Hunger” (1992).

3. Unsworth was known for his extensive research and historical accuracy in his novels.

4. He lived in various countries, including Greece and Turkey, which influenced his writing.

5. Unsworth’s novel “Pascali’s Island” was adapted into a film starring Ben Kingsley and Helen Mirren.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Barry Unsworth

1. “Writing is a way of exploring and understanding the past and the present.”

2. “History is not just about power and politics; it’s about the human experience.”

3. “I’m interested in the way people justify their actions to themselves.”

4. “The past is never really gone; it’s always part of our present.”

5. “Fiction allows us to see the world through different eyes, to understand lives different from our own.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

The highest net worth Barry Unsworth achieved is not well-documented, but it is estimated to be in the range of $1 million to $5 million during his lifetime, primarily from his writing and academic career.