Cyril Connolly

Date of Birth: September 10, 1903

Zodiac Sign: Virgo

Date of Death: November 26, 1974

Biography

Cyril Connolly was a distinguished English literary critic, writer, and editor. Born in Coventry, England, he grew up in a privileged family and was educated at Eton College and Balliol College, Oxford. Connolly’s early career saw him contribute to various literary magazines and journals, but he gained prominence when he co-founded the influential literary magazine “Horizon” in 1940. Under his editorial leadership, “Horizon” became a beacon for literary talent during and after World War II, publishing works from notable authors such as George Orwell, W.H. Auden, and Stephen Spender. Connolly’s critical essays and reviews were widely read and respected. He was known for his wit, erudition, and sometimes acerbic style. His notable works include “Enemies of Promise” (1938), a semi-autobiographical examination of the difficulties facing writers, and “The Unquiet Grave” (1944), a melancholic and introspective collection of aphorisms and reflections. Despite his literary success, Connolly often grappled with feelings of inadequacy and the challenge of living up to his own high standards.

5 Interesting Facts about Cyril Connolly

1. Connolly’s father was a major in the British army, and his mother’s family owned a successful shipping business.

2. He was a close friend and contemporary of George Orwell; they both attended Eton College together.

3. Connolly was known for his lavish lifestyle and often struggled with financial instability despite his literary success.

4. He was married three times and had several high-profile romantic relationships.

5. Connolly was posthumously inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Letters in 1975.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Cyril Connolly

1. “Better to write for yourself and have no public, than to write for the public and have no self.”

2. “Whom the gods wish to destroy, they first call promising.”

3. “The true function of a writer is to produce a masterpiece and no other task is of any consequence.”

4. “Imprisoned in every fat man, a thin one is wildly signaling to be let out.”

5. “The more books we read, the clearer it becomes that the true function of a writer is to produce a masterpiece.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

While specific figures are not well-documented, it is believed that Cyril Connolly’s highest net worth was modest due to his often precarious financial situation despite his literary success.

Children

Cyril Connolly had one child, a daughter named Cressida Connolly, who followed in his literary footsteps and became a respected writer and journalist.