Lawrence Durrell

Date of Birth: February 27, 1912

Zodiac Sign: Pisces

Date of Death: November 7, 1990

Biography

Lawrence Durrell was a British novelist, poet, dramatist, and travel writer, best known for his tetralogy “The Alexandria Quartet.” Born on February 27, 1912, in Jalandhar, British India, Durrell spent much of his early life in India before moving to England for his education. He began his literary career as a poet but gained significant recognition with the publication of “The Alexandria Quartet,” a series of four interconnected novels set in Egypt before and during World War II. Durrell’s work is characterized by its rich, descriptive prose and complex narrative structure, often exploring themes of love, identity, and the nature of reality. Beyond his novels, he also wrote several travel books, including “Prospero’s Cell,” “Reflections on a Marine Venus,” and “Bitter Lemons,” which reflect his experiences living in places like Corfu, Rhodes, and Cyprus. Durrell’s personal life was as colorful as his writing. He was married four times and had several children. He spent his later years in the south of France, where he continued to write until his death on November 7, 1990.

5 Interesting Facts about Lawrence Durrell

1. Lawrence Durrell was the elder brother of Gerald Durrell, a famous naturalist and author.

2. He was expelled from school in England and later attended St. Edmund’s College, Canterbury.

3. “The Alexandria Quartet” consists of four novels: “Justine,” “Balthazar,” “Mountolive,” and “Clea.”

4. During World War II, Durrell worked for the British government in various diplomatic posts, including in Egypt and Yugoslavia.

5. He was nominated for the Nobel Prize in Literature several times but never won.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Lawrence Durrell

1. “Travel can be one of the most rewarding forms of introspection.”

2. “A city becomes a world when one loves one of its inhabitants.”

3. “There are only three things to be done with a woman. You can love her, suffer for her, or turn her into literature.”

4. “Music is only love looking for words.”

5. “You should never be ashamed to admit you have been wrong. It only proves you are wiser today than yesterday.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Lawrence Durrell’s highest net worth was estimated to be in the range of $1 million to $5 million.

Children

Lawrence Durrell had two daughters. His first daughter, Penelope Berengaria, was born from his first marriage to Nancy Myers. His second daughter, Sappho Jane, was born from his second marriage to Eve Cohen.