Christopher Isherwood

Date of Birth: August 26, 1904

Zodiac Sign: Virgo

Date of Death: January 4, 1986

Biography

Christopher Isherwood was an influential English-American author whose works have left an indelible mark on 20th-century literature. Born in Cheshire, England, Isherwood was educated at Repton School and later at Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, though he left without obtaining a degree. He is best known for his “Berlin Stories,” which were later adapted into the iconic stage and film musical “Cabaret.” Isherwood moved to Berlin in 1929, a city that greatly influenced his writing. His vivid accounts of pre-World War II Berlin capture the decadence, political unrest, and social upheaval of the time. During his years in Berlin, he met and befriended significant literary figures, including W.H. Auden. In 1939, Isherwood emigrated to the United States, where he continued his writing career and became a naturalized citizen in 1946. In addition to novels, he wrote screenplays and was involved in the burgeoning gay rights movement. His novel “A Single Man” is considered a seminal work in LGBTQ literature. Isherwood’s later years were spent in California with his partner, Don Bachardy, a relationship that lasted over three decades until his death. He continued to write, teach, and inspire until his passing in 1986.

5 Interesting Facts about Christopher Isherwood

1. Christopher Isherwood was a close friend and collaborator of the poet W.H. Auden.

2. His “Berlin Stories” were adapted into the famous musical “Cabaret,” which won multiple Tony Awards and an Academy Award.

3. He became a naturalized American citizen in 1946.

4. Isherwood was openly gay and his partner, Don Bachardy, was 30 years his junior.

5. His novel “A Single Man” was adapted into a critically acclaimed film directed by Tom Ford in 2009.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Christopher Isherwood

1. “I am a camera with its shutter open, quite passive, recording, not thinking.”

2. “What the world needs now is more love and less paperwork.”

3. “Life is not so bad if you have plenty of luck, a good physique, and not too much imagination.”

4. “The only thing an artist can do is describe his own face.”

5. “The more identities a man has, the more they express the person they conceal.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

While exact figures are not readily available, Christopher Isherwood’s highest estimated net worth was around $1 million, primarily derived from his successful writing career and royalties.

Children

Christopher Isherwood did not have any biological children. However, his long-term relationship with Don Bachardy, who was much younger, was described by some as having a father-son dynamic in addition to being romantic partners.