Paul Scott

Date of Birth: March 25, 1920

Zodiac Sign: Aries

Date of Death: March 1, 1978

Biography

Paul Scott was an acclaimed British novelist, best known for his monumental series “The Raj Quartet,” which explores the complexities and nuances of British India during the final years of the British Raj. Born in London, Scott had a deep fascination with the Indian subcontinent, which he visited as a soldier during World War II. His experiences there profoundly influenced his writing. He began his literary career with poetry and moved on to writing novels that often dealt with themes of cultural conflict, colonialism, and identity. His meticulous research and evocative prose won him critical acclaim, including the Booker Prize for his novel “Staying On,” a sequel to The Raj Quartet. Scott’s work remains a significant contribution to post-colonial literature.

5 Interesting Facts about Paul Scott

1. Paul Scott was awarded the Booker Prize in 1977 for his novel “Staying On.”

2. He served in the Indian Army during World War II, an experience that had a lasting impact on his writing.

3. “The Raj Quartet” was adapted into the acclaimed television series “The Jewel in the Crown” in 1984.

4. Scott initially worked as an accountant before fully dedicating himself to writing.

5. His literary archives are housed at the Harry Ransom Center at the University of Texas at Austin.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Paul Scott

1. “The past is a foreign country; they do things differently there.”

2. “The Englishman who is not conscious of his moral and intellectual inferiority to his Indian brother is not worthy to write about the affairs of India.”

3. “In the end, the only thing that really matters is that we have loved.”

4. “You cannot step into the same river twice, for other waters are continually flowing on.”

5. “The truth is rarely pure and never simple.”