|
Alexander Raban Waugh (Alec Waugh) (July 8, 1898 - September 3, 1981), was a British novelist, the elder brother of the better-known Evelyn Waugh. He was married to Virginia Sorenson, author of Newbery Medal-winning Miracles on Maple Hill . Waugh was born in London, and educated at Sherborne School, a public school in Dorset. The result of his experiences was his first, semi-autobiographical novel, The Loom of Youth (1917), which harked back to his schooldays. This book was seen as so controversial at the time (it openly portrayed the homosexual passions between the boys) that he remains the only former pupil to be expelled from the old boys society (The Old Shirburnian Society). When the book was published Waugh was serving in France, although he did not see action in the First World War until Passchendaele. He went on to a career as a successful author, although never as successful or innovative as his younger brother. He lived much of his life overseas, in exotic places such as Tangier - a lifestyle made possible by his first marriage, to a rich Australian (Joan Chirnside). His work, possibly in consequence, tends to be reminiscent of Somerset Maugham, although without Maugham's huge popular success. Nevertheless, his 1957 novel Island in the Sun was a best-seller, as was his 1973 novel, A Fatal Gift. Alec Waugh was the author of In Praise of Wine & Certain Noble Spirits (1959), an amusing and discursive guide to the major wine types, and Wines and Spirits , a 1968 book in the Time-Life series Foods of the World. This was not a stretch as he was a noted connoisseur. Waugh is said to have invented the cocktail party when he was active in London social life in the 1920s when he served rum swizzles to astonished friends who thought they had come for tea. Within eighteen months, early evening drinks had become a widespread social entertainment. Waugh's other strange claim to fame was helping to popularise reggae music. The success of the film adaptation of Island in the Sun and Harry Belafonte title track provided inspiration as well as the name for the highly successful Island Records record label. Other Books
|
