Evelyn Waugh

Date of Birth: October 28, 1903

Zodiac Sign: Scorpio

Date of Death: April 10, 1966

Biography

Evelyn Waugh, born Arthur Evelyn St. John Waugh, was an English writer best known for his satirical novels, biographies, and travel books. Waugh was born into a literary family in London on October 28, 1903. He attended Lancing College and later Hertford College, Oxford, where he developed a reputation for his wit and eccentricity. Waugh’s first major success came with “Decline and Fall” (1928), a satirical novel that captured the absurdities of British society. This was followed by other notable works such as “Vile Bodies” (1930), “A Handful of Dust” (1934), and “Scoop” (1938), which cemented his reputation as a leading satirist. His conversion to Roman Catholicism in 1930 had a profound effect on his life and work, influencing his later novels, including “Brideshead Revisited” (1945) and “The Sword of Honour Trilogy” (1952-1961). Aside from his novels, Waugh was also a prolific travel writer and biographer, with notable works including “Labels: A Mediterranean Journal” (1930) and “Robbery Under Law” (1939). Despite his often prickly personality and controversial opinions, Waugh’s literary contributions have left a lasting impact on English literature.

5 Interesting Facts about Evelyn Waugh

1. Evelyn Waugh was expelled from Lancing College for a prank that involved painting obscene graffiti on a school building.

2. He served in the Royal Marines and the Royal Horse Guards during World War II.

3. Waugh’s novel “Brideshead Revisited” was adapted into an acclaimed television series in 1981.

4. He was known for his acerbic wit and often controversial opinions, both in his writing and personal life.

5. Waugh had a turbulent first marriage to Evelyn Gardner, which ended in divorce, leading him to refer to it as “the happiest day of my life.”

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Evelyn Waugh

1. “The truth is that life is a tragedy, but the artist must never forget that it is also a comedy.”

2. “Punctuality is the virtue of the bored.”

3. “One of the drawbacks of English literature is that too many of the writers were gentlemen.”

4. “There is a species of person called the ‘European’ who is always ‘coming back’ but has never been anywhere.”

5. “Change is the only evidence of life.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

At the peak of his career, Evelyn Waugh’s net worth was estimated to be around £50,000, which would be equivalent to several million pounds today when adjusted for inflation.

Children

Evelyn Waugh had seven children with his second wife, Laura Herbert. Their names are: 1. Teresa Waugh 2. Auberon Waugh 3. Margaret Waugh 4. Harriet Waugh 5. James Waugh 6. Maria Waugh 7. Septimus Waugh