Rebecca West

Date of Birth: December 21, 1892

Zodiac Sign: Sagittarius

Date of Death: March 15, 1983

Biography

Dame Rebecca West, born Cicely Isabel Fairfield on December 21, 1892, was an English author, journalist, and literary critic, renowned for her contributions to literature and journalism in the 20th century. She adopted her pen name from a character in Henrik Ibsen’s play “Rosmersholm.” West’s works span a variety of genres, including novels, essays, and reportage, and she is particularly noted for her incisive wit and keen analysis of social and political issues. West’s literary career began in earnest with her involvement in the women’s suffrage movement, where she wrote for feminist publications. Her first novel, “The Return of the Soldier” (1918), was a poignant exploration of the emotional toll of World War I. She continued to write fiction, with notable works including “Harriet Hume” (1929) and “The Fountain Overflows” (1957). In addition to fiction, West gained acclaim for her non-fiction work, most famously “Black Lamb and Grey Falcon” (1941), an expansive travelogue and historical analysis of Yugoslavia. Her reporting and analysis covered significant events of the 20th century, including the Nuremberg Trials and the Dreyfus Affair. West was a prolific writer and a formidable intellectual presence, contributing to major publications such as The New Yorker, The New Republic, and The Sunday Times. She was made a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in 1959 for her contributions to literature.

5 Interesting Facts about Rebecca West

1. Rebecca West was in a decade-long relationship with H.G. Wells, with whom she had a son, Anthony West.

2. Her pen name, Rebecca West, was inspired by a character in Henrik Ibsen’s play “Rosmersholm.”

3. West’s book “Black Lamb and Grey Falcon” is considered one of the greatest travel books of the 20th century.

4. She was a staunch critic of totalitarianism, which she explored in her book “The Meaning of Treason” (1947).

5. Rebecca West was knighted as a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1959.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Rebecca West

1. “I myself have never been able to find out precisely what feminism is: I only know that people call me a feminist whenever I express sentiments that differentiate me from a doormat.”

2. “There is no logical reason why the camel of great art should pass through the needle of mob intelligence.”

3. “Life ought to be a struggle of desire toward adventures whose nobility will fertilize the soul.”

4. “The main difference between men and women is that men are lunatics and women are idiots.”

5. “Everyone realizes that one can believe little of what people say about each other. But it is not so widely realized that even less can one trust what people say about themselves.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Rebecca West’s highest net worth is not precisely documented, but she was known to be financially comfortable, largely due to the success of her literary career and her marriage to banker Henry Andrews.

Children

Rebecca West had one son, Anthony West, born in 1914, from her relationship with H.G. Wells. Anthony West also became a writer and is known for his works of fiction and biography.