Harold Nicolson

Date of Birth: November 21, 1886

Zodiac Sign: Scorpio

Date of Death: May 1, 1968

Biography

Harold Nicolson was a distinguished British diplomat, author, diarist, and politician. Born into an influential family, his father was Sir Arthur Nicolson, 1st Baron Carnock, a notable diplomat. Harold’s career in diplomacy spanned several key historical events, including the Paris Peace Conference in 1919 where he served as a British delegate. After retiring from the diplomatic service in 1929, Nicolson pursued a successful career in writing, producing biographies, novels, and his well-regarded diaries, which provide a vivid account of political life in the early 20th century. He also served as a Member of Parliament from 1935 to 1945 and was known for his contributions to the fields of literature and gardening, particularly his work at Sissinghurst Castle Garden with his wife, Vita Sackville-West.

5 Interesting Facts about Harold Nicolson

1. Harold Nicolson was a key British delegate at the Paris Peace Conference in 1919, which led to the Treaty of Versailles.

2. He was married to Vita Sackville-West, a celebrated writer and gardener, with whom he created the famous gardens at Sissinghurst Castle.

3. Nicolson’s diaries are considered some of the most insightful historical documents of the 20th century, providing unique perspectives on political and social events.

4. He was knighted in 1953 for his services to literature and diplomacy.

5. Despite his significant contributions to diplomacy and literature, Nicolson also had a deep interest in gardening, co-founding the National Trust’s garden at Sissinghurst.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Harold Nicolson

1. “We are all inclined to judge ourselves by our ideals; others by their acts.”

2. “The great secret of a successful marriage is to treat all disasters as incidents and none of the incidents as disasters.”

3. “It is absurd to divide people into good and bad. People are either charming or tedious.”

4. “The great thing about human language is that it prevents us from sticking to the matter at hand.”

5. “Every schoolmaster has a theory. It is his theory that he holds precious, not his pupils.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

While specific figures for his net worth are not available, Harold Nicolson achieved significant financial stability through his diplomatic career, literary works, and contributions to various publications.

Children

Harold Nicolson and Vita Sackville-West had two sons: 1. Nigel Nicolson (1917-2004) – A writer, publisher, and politician who co-founded the publishing house Weidenfeld & Nicolson and authored several books, including a biography of his parents. 2. Benedict Nicolson (1914-1978) – An art historian and critic who made significant contributions to the study of European art.