Norman Douglas

Date of Birth: December 8, 1868

Zodiac Sign: Sagittarius

Date of Death: February 7, 1952

Biography

Norman Douglas was a British writer born on December 8, 1868. He is best known for his travel books and novels, particularly “South Wind,” which is considered his masterpiece. Douglas was born in Thüringen, Austria, to a Scottish father and Austrian mother. He grew up in Scotland but spent much of his adult life in Italy. Douglas was educated at Uppingham School and then attended the Gymnasium in Karlsruhe, Germany. He worked briefly in the British Foreign Office but soon turned to writing. His works often reflect his interest in Mediterranean cultures and landscapes. Douglas’s writing is noted for its wit, erudition, and often controversial opinions. He lived a peripatetic life, moving between Italy, the South of France, and London. Norman Douglas passed away on February 7, 1952, in Capri, Italy.

5 Interesting Facts about Norman Douglas

1. Norman Douglas was expelled from Uppingham School for inappropriate behavior.

2. He served as a British consul in St. Petersburg, Russia, before fully dedicating himself to writing.

3. Douglas was a close friend of D.H. Lawrence and other literary figures of the time.

4. His most famous work, “South Wind,” published in 1917, is set on the fictional island of Nepenthe, based on Capri.

5. Douglas spent his final years living in Capri, where he continued to write and entertain guests.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Norman Douglas

1. “You can tell the ideals of a nation by its advertisements.”

2. “Education is a state-controlled manufactory of echoes.”

3. “The longer one lives, the more one realizes that nothing is a dish for every day.”

4. “The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page.”

5. “Many a man who has known himself at ten forgets himself utterly between ten and thirty.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Douglas did not amass significant wealth from his writing. His highest net worth is estimated to be modest, around £10,000 (equivalent to approximately £300,000 in today’s money).

Children

Norman Douglas had two sons, Archie and Robin, with his first wife, Elsa FitzGibbon. The couple divorced in 1903, and Douglas raised his sons with the help of his mother.