Louis Begley

Date of Birth: October 6, 1933

Zodiac Sign: Libra

Biography

Louis Begley is an American novelist and retired lawyer, best known for his novels exploring themes of identity, survival, and moral dilemmas. Born Ludwik Begleiter in Stryi, Poland (now Ukraine), Begley survived the Holocaust as a child and emigrated to the United States in 1947. He attended Harvard College and Harvard Law School, graduating in 1959. Begley practiced law at the prestigious firm of Debevoise & Plimpton until his retirement in 2004. Begley’s debut novel, “Wartime Lies” (1991), is a semi-autobiographical account of a Jewish boy and his aunt surviving the Holocaust by assuming false identities. The novel received critical acclaim and won the Hemingway Foundation/PEN Award. His other notable works include “About Schmidt” (1996), which was adapted into a film starring Jack Nicholson, and “The Man Who Was Late” (1993), a poignant exploration of ambition and loss. Begley’s writing is often praised for its elegance, psychological depth, and moral complexity. He continues to be a prominent voice in contemporary American literature, addressing the experiences of displacement and the search for identity.

5 Interesting Facts about Louis Begley

1. Louis Begley was born Ludwik Begleiter in Stryi, Poland (now Ukraine), and survived the Holocaust as a child.

2. Begley practiced law for over 40 years at Debevoise & Plimpton, a prestigious law firm in New York City.

3. His debut novel, “Wartime Lies,” won the Hemingway Foundation/PEN Award in 1991.

4. “About Schmidt,” one of Begley’s most famous novels, was adapted into a successful film starring Jack Nicholson in 2002.

5. Begley has been a member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters since 2001.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Louis Begley

1. “People are not always what they seem to be, and their inner lives can be a complete mystery.”

2. “The past is never dead. It’s not even past.”

3. “Survival often means living with the consequences of choices that, in better times, would be unthinkable.”

4. “Writing is an attempt to make sense of the chaos around us.”

5. “What interests me most are the moral dilemmas and psychological struggles that define human existence.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Louis Begley’s highest net worth achieved is estimated to be around $5 million, primarily from his successful career as a novelist and lawyer.

Children

Louis Begley has three children: Adam Begley, who is a noted biographer and critic; Peter Begley, and a daughter, Laura Begley Bloom, who is a journalist.