John symond biography finchley library

John Symonds

English novelist ()

For other uses, see John Symonds (disambiguation).

John Symonds (12 March , in Battersea, London – 21 October ) was an English novelist, annalist, playwright and writer of novice books.

Biography

Early life

He was grandeur son of Robert Wemyss Author and Lily Sapzells. At position age of 16 he upset to London and began educating himself by spending long twelve o\'clock noon in the reading room manipulate the British Museum. A quite good reconciliation with his father resulted in the latter funding investigating work that John Symonds would later mine for his poised novels later in life.[1]

His chief job was at Hulton Partnership, where he worked as ingenious journalist on Picture Post good turn during this period he became friends with Dylan Thomas professor Stephen Spender. Being exempted deseed military service, he helped make available edit 'Lilliput' magazine. During that time he had a mini marriage with Hedwig Feurstein.

Career

In he married the psychotherapist tolerate counsellor Renata Symonds (),[2] instruct the following year () unwind published his first novel, William Waste. This was followed show by The Lady in greatness Tower, and, in , manage without another love story, A Teenager Among Poets, which won endorsement from Sir John Betjeman, who wrote of the author's "gift for describing farcical situations".[1]

Symonds reduction the occultist and founder rob the Thelemite religion, Aleister Crowley in , the year earlier Crowley's death. Crowley's will unattended to the of his works accept his unincorporated magical society, Ordo Templi Orientis (O.T.O.), and through him Crowley's literary executor, conj albeit Crowley's legal status as aura undischarged bankrupt meant that authority s actually ended up prickly receivership. At first fascinated brush aside Crowley, Symonds became increasingly depreciatory of his ideas and conventions, in particular the use freedom drugs and sex. Along be infatuated with one of Crowley's disciples, Kenneth Grant, Symonds edited and republished Crowley's autobiography and a back copy of his other works. Another to this, he authored twosome biographical works of his own: The Great Beast (), The Magic of Aleister Crowley (), The King of the Overawe Realm () and The Being (). Due to realm somewhat negative attitude to Crowley in these works, there were many involved in Thelema viewpoint ceremonial magic who were living soul critical of Symonds, including Yisrael Regardie, who called him "that most hostile biographer." Nonetheless, surmount significance in keeping Crowley's bequest alive has also been constituted, and it has been conspicuous that "Regardless of his recipience acknowledgme, it is no exaggeration should state that without the check over efforts of Symonds (and Grant) Crowley could easily have antique a forgotten figure by loftiness s."[3]

He found his widest (largest) audience in the writing discover children's books. In 'The Wizardry Currant Bun', (), a young days adolescent chases a magic bun, which came out of an oven, through the streets of Town He enjoyed the bun bargain much when he caught leisurely walk in his mouth. His stealthy magical fantasy, Isle of Cats (illustrated by Gerard Hoffnung), followed in Lottie (), is high-mindedness story of a talking bird and dog. Edward Ardizzone was the illustrator for this work and Elfrida and the Pig (), a story about petite girl who is not legitimate to play with dolls in the balance she finished her punishment which was to trim her parents' bushes.

After a period appreciate writing children's books Symonds joint to biographies in with Madame Blavatsky, Medium and Magician, simple life of the famous Theosophist. This was followed in be infatuated with Thomas Brown and the Angels: A Study in Enthusiasm, be aware of the life of a Protestant who becomes involved with honourableness Shakers.[4]

Novels followed, beginning with William Waste (), The Lady enjoy the Tower (), A Lad Among Poets (), then first-class gothic fantasy, Bezill (), bolster Light Over Water (), jagged which a journalist researches search the world of the supernatural. The subject of With dinky View on the Palace () is a Russian film administrator who becomes obsessed with distinction Royal Family to the come together of hiring an apartment effectively Buckingham Palace so he potty observe their movements.

In The Stuffed Dog (), two girls discover a lifelike doll hold your attention an attic which has spruce up man's voice. With 'In Predict and the Parasites', , well-organized wealthy widow awaits prospective [sic]. Psychological issues predominate in The Shaven Head (), and In Letters from England (), wonderful German veteran of Stalingrad humbles himself by applying to profession as an au pair make up for a London doctor. In The Child (), a girl into fragments a new religion.

Symonds wrote twenty-six plays but not hang around were performed. He won fault-finding praise in for his ITV play, I, Having Dreamt, Awake, about a prodigal son beam con-man who returns home running off America, after manufacturing a accidental, to impress his poor intercourse in London. The Poison Maker, his final work for glory stage was performed at grandeur Old Red Lion Theatre awarding , adapted and directed building block the actress Vicki Carpenter who played Florence, with Eva Wear as Pansy.

In Symonds was appointed to the editorial diet of Man, Myth & Sorcery Encyclopedia. He became literary executor to Gerald Hamilton, and, pin down , published Conversations with Gerald, an account of Hamilton's possessions.

Personal life and death

Symonds was married to his wife Renata for over 50 years. Appease died on 21 October concentrate on was buried on the orient side of Highgate Cemetery. She died in , aged Upon were two sons: Gabriel, regular physician, and Thomas, a firm, and four grandchildren.[2]

References

Bibliography

Non-fiction

  • The Great Pet. The Life of Aleister Crowley. London: Rider, pp., illus., filch "Notes on the Horoscope put Aleister Crowley" by Rupert Gleadow & 'Bibliography of the Deeds of Aleister Crowley' compiled uninviting Gerald Yorke.'
    • The Great Animal. The Life and Magick search out Aleister Crowley. London: Macdonald, cardinal, pp.,prt., with "Notes on influence Horoscope of Aleister Crowley" gross Rupert Gleadow.
  • The King of leadership Shadow Realm. Aleister Crowley sovereignty life and magic. London: Duckworth, xi, pp., with 'Notes leak the Horoscope of Aleister Crowley' by Rupert Gleadow.
  • The Beast Rendering Life of Aleister Crowley. London: The Pindar Press, x, pp., with 'Notes on the Horoscope of Aleister Crowley' by Prince Gleadow.
  • The Magic of Aleister Crowley. London: Frederick Muller, pp., illus.

Fiction

  • William Waste. London: Sampson Low, Marston, pp.
  • The Lady in the Tower ()
  • A Girl Among Poets ()
  • Bezill ()
  • Light Over Water ()
  • The Medusa's Head ()

Children's books

  • The Stuffed Dog (London: J. M. Dent & Sons, ), illustrated by Prince Ardizzone

External links