Colin Wilson

Date of Birth: June 26, 1931

Zodiac Sign: Cancer

Date of Death: December 5, 2013

Biography

Colin Wilson was a renowned British writer and philosopher known for his works on existentialism and the human condition. He was born in Leicester, England, and quickly gained fame with his debut book, “The Outsider,” published in 1956. The book explored the lives and thoughts of various ‘outsiders’ in literature and philosophy, such as Albert Camus, Jean-Paul Sartre, and Ernest Hemingway. Wilson’s extensive body of work includes over 100 books, covering a wide range of subjects including psychology, crime, mysticism, and the paranormal. His writing style often intertwined deeply philosophical questions with a narrative flair, making complex ideas accessible to a broader audience. Wilson’s work has inspired countless readers and has earned him a lasting place in the canon of 20th-century literature.

5 Interesting Facts about Colin Wilson

1. Colin Wilson was part of the “Angry Young Men” movement, a group of English writers who were known for their disillusionment with traditional British society.

2. He left school at 16 and educated himself by reading extensively in public libraries.

3. Wilson was a prolific writer, often working on multiple projects simultaneously; he claimed to have written up to 5,000 words a day.

4. He had a keen interest in the paranormal and wrote several books on the subject, including “The Occult” and “Mysteries.”

5. Despite initial critical acclaim, Wilson’s work often received mixed reviews, but he maintained a dedicated following throughout his career.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Colin Wilson

1. “The mind has exactly the same power as the hands: not merely to grasp the world, but to change it.”

2. “Imagination should be used, not to escape reality, but to create it.”

3. “Man is not a machine, and this is the golden lesson of the past 200 years.”

4. “The Outsider is not necessarily a person who is naturally rebellious, but one who is acutely aware of the flaws and limitations of the society he lives in.”

5. “To be truly happy, a man must feel himself in control of his own destiny.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

At the peak of his career, Colin Wilson achieved a net worth estimated to be around $2 million.

Children

Colin Wilson had three children: Damon Wilson, Sally Wilson, and Rowan Wilson. Damon followed in his father’s footsteps and became a writer, specializing in mythology and history. Sally and Rowan have largely stayed out of the public eye.