Wyndham Lewis

Date of Birth: November 18, 1882

Zodiac Sign: Scorpio

Date of Death: March 7, 1957

Biography

Percy Wyndham Lewis, commonly known as Wyndham Lewis, was a British author, painter, and critic born on November 18, 1882, in Amherst, Nova Scotia, Canada. He is best remembered for co-founding the Vorticist movement in art and literature, which sought to capture the dynamic energy of the modern world through abstraction and bold geometric patterns. Educated at the Slade School of Fine Art in London, Lewis initially gained recognition for his paintings before turning his talents to literature. His literary career included both fiction and non-fiction works. Among his most notable novels are “Tarr” (1918) and “The Apes of God” (1930), which are known for their satirical and often controversial nature. Lewis also wrote extensively on culture and politics, with works such as “The Art of Being Ruled” (1926) and “Time and Western Man” (1927). Despite his early success, Lewis’s career was marred by his often contentious views and abrasive personality, which alienated many of his contemporaries. In the 1930s, his flirtation with fascist ideas and his initial support for Adolf Hitler further damaged his reputation, although he later recanted these views in the book “The Hitler Cult” (1939). In his later years, Lewis experienced significant financial hardship and suffered from health issues, including near-total blindness. He continued to write and paint until his death on March 7, 1957, in London, England.

5 Interesting Facts about Wyndham Lewis

1. Wyndham Lewis was a founding member of the Vorticist movement, which was England’s answer to Futurism and Cubism.

2. He served on the Western Front during World War I as a second lieutenant in the Royal Artillery.

3. Lewis’s novel “Tarr” is considered one of the first modernist novels in English literature.

4. He lost his eyesight due to a pituitary tumor in the late 1940s but continued to write with the help of an amanuensis.

5. Despite his controversies, he was a prolific writer, publishing over 40 books in his lifetime.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Wyndham Lewis

1. “No man who is in a hurry is quite civilized.”

2. “The art of being ruled is not an art of importance.”

3. “The artist can be a great revolutionary; the revolutionary can never be a great artist.”

4. “If you do not regard feminism with an unholy fear, you are not entitled to call yourself a modern man.”

5. “The intelligence suffers from too much thinking.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Wyndham Lewis did not achieve significant financial success during his lifetime. At his peak, his net worth was modest, reflecting the financial difficulties he faced, especially in his later years.