Knitting Circle Beverley Nichols
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Biography,work,bibliography.
(John) Beverley NicholsBorn 9th. September, 1898, in Bower Ashton, Bristol, England; died 15th. September, 1983, in Kingston, London.British writer of books, plays, music, and lyrics.
He was also sometimes an actor and broadcaster.
Edit
Education
He went to Marlborough College and Balliol College, Oxford. He was President of the Oxford Union for a time. He was editor of
Isis, and founder and editor of the Oxford
Outlook.
EditPersonal Life
When young his good looks made him one of the most photographed men of his time.His writing made it possible for him to have an expensive life style.He met
Godfrey Winnthrough his theatrical contacts and their paths crossed over a number of years. They became rivals as newspaper columnists, but still continued an arkward friendship and visited each other's houses. They broke up when Beverley Nichols wrote
A Case of Human Bondage, (1966) which appeared to be critical of
Somerset Maughamwho had been Godfrey Winn's lover for a time.
He had a partner for 40 years and was relatively open about his sexuality in public lectures, though not in his radio broadcasts, However, his demeanour gave a lot away.
EditCareer
He appeared as the Hon. Richard Wells in the film
Glamourin 1931.His most commercially successful writing was his book
Down the Garden Path, which is regarded as a gardening classic. He took part in a number of radio broadcasts, for example
Not Only Down the Garden Pathin three parts in March 1983.
EditSocial Work
He involved himself in campaigns against such things as the poor treatment of African Americans in the 1950s. He also challenged anti-homosexual legislation and homophobic behaviour.
EditA Tribute After Death
On 16th. September, 1983, the day after his death, a celebration of his life took place at St Paul's, Covent Garden, the 'Actors' Church'. Ned Sherrin had arranged a programme of Beverley Nichols's work. The event began with
The Shadow Prelude. Patrick Ryecart read from the preface to
Twenty-Five, Liz Robertson sang
I Will Pray, Derek Jacobi read
A Bluebell from
Twilight, Michael Horden read from the new preface to
Down the Garden Path, and Alfred Shaughnessy gave the address. The event ended with a recording of John Mills and Frances Day singing
Little White Room from
Floodlight.
A photograph of Beverley Nichols in his garden is shown inJivani (1997), page 17.
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Work
- Prelude, (a novel), 1920. (A story of schoolboy love.)
- Twenty-Five, 1926, (An autobiography.)
- Down the Garden Path, 1932. (A gardening book.)
- Merry Hall, 1950. (The true story of the transformation of a derelict house and grounds.)
- Re-issued by Timber Press, 1998.
- The Sweet and Twenties, 1958, Weidenfield & Nicholson.
- A Case of Human Bondage, 1966.
- A short book in defence of Syrie Maugham, the wife ofSomerset Maugham.
- Father Figure
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Bibliography
- Bryan Connon, (1991), "e;Beverley Nichols: A Life"e;, London: Constable and Company Limited, 320 pages, ISBN 0 09 470570 4.
- Blurb:"e;Bryan Connon has written a fascinating study of a complex and talented man in whom, in J. W. Lambert's phrase, a keen mind functioned beneath the glad rags, and whose huge and diverse literary output chronicles the events, moods and personalities of the age he lived in."e;
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First uploaded 27th. August, 1998
Last altered 21st. August, 2000