Patrick White

Date of Birth: May 28, 1912

Zodiac Sign: Gemini

Date of Death: September 30, 1990

Biography

Patrick White, born Patrick Victor Martindale White, was an influential Australian author and playwright, widely regarded as one of the most significant literary figures of the 20th century. Over his illustrious career, White published several novels, plays, and short stories that garnered critical acclaim and earned him a Nobel Prize in Literature in 1973. Known for his complex characters and profound explorations of human nature, White’s work often delved into themes of isolation, identity, and the clash between urban and rural life. Some of his most renowned works include “Voss,” “The Tree of Man,” and “Riders in the Chariot.” In addition to his literary achievements, White was also a vocal advocate for various social and political causes, including Aboriginal rights and environmental conservation.

5 Interesting Facts about Patrick White

1. Patrick White was the first Australian to win the Nobel Prize in Literature.

2. He served as an intelligence officer in the Royal Australian Air Force during World War II.

3. White was openly gay and had a long-term relationship with Manoly Lascaris, whom he lived with for nearly 50 years.

4. His novel “Voss” is considered one of the greatest Australian novels and was inspired by the life of German explorer Ludwig Leichhardt.

5. White bequeathed his entire estate to charitable organizations, including the Art Gallery of New South Wales and the Patrick White Literary Award.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Patrick White

1. “I think the novel is at its best when it is a kind of struggle between a clean text and a dirty reader.”

2. “Writers must, of course, realize that they do not have to live like their characters, but the closer they come to their characters, the greater the force of their novels.”

3. “Human beings are so made that the ones who do the crushing feel nothing; it is the person crushed who feels what is happening.”

4. “Life is full of alternatives but no choice.”

5. “An artist must be a reactionary. He has to stand out against the tenor of the age and not go flopping along.”