Hugh Walpole

Date of Birth: March 13, 1884

Zodiac Sign: Pisces

Date of Death: June 1, 1941

Biography

Hugh Seymour Walpole was an English novelist, critic, and dramatist born on March 13, 1884, in Auckland, New Zealand. His father, George Henry Somerset Walpole, was an Anglican clergyman, which influenced the family’s frequent relocations between New Zealand, the United States, and England. Walpole was educated at King’s School, Canterbury, and Emmanuel College, Cambridge. He initially worked as a schoolmaster before dedicating himself to a full-time writing career. Walpole’s literary career began in earnest with the publication of his first novel, “The Wooden Horse,” in 1909. Over the years, he became known for his prolific output, producing over 30 novels, five volumes of short stories, and numerous plays and screenplays. He achieved significant success with works such as “Rogue Herries” (1930) and “The Cathedral” (1922). Walpole was also an influential literary critic and a member of the prestigious literary group, the “Bloomsbury Set.” His contributions to literature were recognized with a knighthood in 1937. Despite his success, Walpole’s popularity waned after his death, and his works are less frequently read today than those of some of his contemporaries.

5 Interesting Facts about Hugh Walpole

1. Hugh Walpole was a friend and mentor to many notable writers, including J.B. Priestley and Virginia Woolf.

2. He served as a dispatch driver and worked for the Red Cross during World War I.

3. Walpole’s series of novels, the “Herries Chronicles,” is considered one of his most enduring works.

4. He was known for his generosity and often helped struggling writers financially.

5. Walpole appeared in an uncredited role in the 1935 film adaptation of Charles Dickens’ “David Copperfield,” directed by George Cukor.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Hugh Walpole

1. “The most wonderful of all things in life, I believe, is the discovery of another human being with whom one’s relationship has a glowing depth, beauty, and joy as the years increase.”

2. “You can really only enjoy yourself in the world and get the best out of it, when you are not thinking about yourself.”

3. “It isn’t life that matters, it’s the courage you bring to it.”

4. “Happiness comes from…some curious adjustment to life.”

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

Highest Net Worth Achieved

At the peak of his career, Hugh Walpole’s net worth was estimated to be around £100,000, which is approximately equivalent to £5 million today, accounting for inflation.