The war was a direct challenge, as Lytton saw it, to Bloomsbury pacifist principles. Years later, Virginia Woolf reminisced that Strachey, as the leader of the "Bloomsberries," tore down the barriers of sexual reticence that had plagued their parents' generation. https://www.encyclopedia.com/history/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/giles-lytton-strachey, "Giles Lytton Strachey On the surface, Strachey appeared defiant of convention, but in his diary he wrote repeatedly of his loneliness and unhappiness with his looks. The biography of Strachey is really a biography of the Bloomsbury Group. Most online reference entries and articles do not have page numbers. MAJOR WORKS: Biography The new movement in biography as a literary form began in England with Giles Lytton Strachey (STRAY-chee) as World War I came to an end. He was rather an artist with words. . Author Bio: Lytton Strachey. He published his major book, Eminent Victorians, in 1918. It was at Trinity College, and later at King's College, that he met most of his intellectual friends, among them the philosopher G. E. Moore (1873-1958), the economist John Maynard Keynes (1883-1946), the novelist E. M. Forster (1879-1970), the critic and publisher Leonard Woolf (1880-1969), and the art critic Clive Bell (1881-1964). He did prefer, however, what he called the "subtle attack" to undermine Victorian strictures on religious, artistic, social, and sexual matters. Lytton Strachey, in full Giles Lytton Strachey, (born March 1, 1880, London—died Jan. 21, 1932, Ham Spray House, near Hungerford, Berkshire, Eng. Eminent Victorians, by Lytton Strachey, Penguin … The conspiracy of public silence by which the Apostles, Bloomsbury Group, and other circles in England kept hidden from the world their sexual proclivities is yet to be studied. "Giles Lytton Strachey "Strachey, Lytton Definition of strachey He saw religion as Voltaire saw it, as a "ludicrous anachronism." He died on January 21, 1932 in Hungerford, Berkshire, England. His biography of Queen Victoria was awarded the James Tait … ." Michael Holroyd's two-volume biography of Strachey in 1968 (revised in 1995) offers a complex picture of a literary and sexual rebel still struggling with Victorian mores and legal codes as well as his own insecurities. . Some scholars, however, have questioned Strachey's feminist sympathies and have portrayed his relationship with Dora Carrington as that of patriarch and household drudge. Carrington committed suicide immediately after his death. Of all the Bloomsberries, Strachey took precedence (for instance, the Bloomsbury Group began to decline after his own death in 1932). His father, Sir Richard Strachey, was a colonial Indian civil servant and civil engineer and a British army general; he was a typical Victorian explorer/ scientist. Strachey was not a historical revisionist; for that he would have to have been a scholar. London, 1971. See alsoHomosexuality and Lesbianism; Wilde, Oscar. Irony is one thing; but it conceals too much from the author himself. English Literature, 20th cent. Surrounded by those he regarded as fellow "Greek souls," Strachey became a vocal advocate of the physical and spiritual superiority of all-male love. BORN: 1869, Paris, France GENRE: Fiction Adopting an irreverent attitude to the past and especially to the monumental life-and-letters volumes of Victorian biography, Strachey proposed to write lives … London, 1967–1968. DIED: 1881, London, England An interesting account of Strachey and other members of the Bloomsbury group is provided by John Keith Johnstone, in The Bloomsbury Group; a study of E.M. Forster, Lytton Strachey, Virginia Woolf, and Their Circle (Noonday Press, 1954). Encyclopedia.com. Strachey first broached the taboo subject of sex by pointing at a stain on Vanessa's dress and asking, "Semen?" Strachey eschewed the standard "two fat volumes" of Victorian biographies (he saw these tomes as "hagiographies": treatment of the illustrious dead). This article was most recently revised and updated by, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Lytton-Strachey, National Portrait Gallery - Biography of Lytton Strachey. BORN: 1922, London, England Encyclopedia of Modern Europe: Europe 1789-1914: Encyclopedia of the Age of Industry and Empire, Carlyle, Thomas The C…, Woolf, Virginia NATIONALITY: Scottish During World War I, Strachey was a conscientious objector, but his impact on the larger public would be felt most strongly in 1918 with the publication of his best-selling work, Eminent Victorians. Lytton Strachey as a biographer. . "Mordant irony" was replaced by grudging respect for the queen, even though Strachey felt himself amused by her antics. In addition to the MLA, Chicago, and APA styles, your school, university, publication, or institution may have its own requirements for citations. BORN: 1795, Ecclefechan, Scotland . Strachey has certainly revolutionized the art of writing a biography. (December 21, 2020). Bloomsbury itself became a widely used term connoting an insular, snobbish aestheticism. MAJOR WORKS: Encyclopedia of World Biography. Lytton Strachey (March 1, 1880–January 21, 1932) was an English writer and critic. Even though Lytton's family members on both sides were well-connected and prosperous, the large parental home in unfashionable Bayswater was "suffocating" to him. DIED: 1933, London, England His father, Sir Richard Strachey, was a colonial Indian civil servant and civil engineer and a British army general; he was a typical Victorian explorer/ scientist. It tells of their affairs, the ups and downs of their lives and how they interconnected. He published critical writings, especially on French literature, but his greatest achievement was in biography. Lytton Strachey: A Critical Biography. Lytton Strachey was an English writer in the interwar period. Cite this article Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography. The Immo…, Amis, Kingsley Lytton Strachey by Himself: A Self-Portrait. BORN: 1882, London, England He is best known for establishing a new form of biography in which psychological insight and sympathy are combined with irreverence and wit. Giles Lytton Strachey was the eleventh of thirteen children born to Sir Richard Strachey, engineer and Indian colonial servant, and Jane Grant, essayist and suffragist. "Eminent" in the book's title was satirical. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree.... Love literature? Before him, the biographer used to neglect like a hagiographer the darker side of their heroes because they generally used to idealize their heroes by representing them as angels of virtue. The portrait of Strachey is a gentle and affectionate one. Though he spent some years at boarding schools, including Abbotsholme and Leamington College, he received much of his education at home. He turned a blind eye to Moore's inherent puritanism. (December 21, 2020). The biographer's responsibility was to preserve both a becoming brevity and his own freedom of spirit, which for Strachey meant illustrating … © 2019 Encyclopedia.com | All rights reserved. Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. □. Clive. He returned to his parents' home in Lancaster Gate and supported himself as a journalist—contributing book and drama reviews to The Spectator magazine, the Nation, and the Athenaeum—and published two collections of verse and an important work of literary criticism, Landmarks in French Literature (1912). After writing on Augustus John and Bernard Shaw, in 1994, Holroyd again revised the biography into a single volume, Lytton Strachey: The New Biography. He favored for himself brief biographies, the art of which rested on the subject's motive and personality as he saw it. We've arranged the synonyms in length order so that they are easier to find. Since the 1990s Queer theorists have championed Strachey—with his effeminate style of dress, high voice, and penchant for Wildean satire—as a camp artist. Sir Richard's second wife, Lytton's mother, was the daughter of Sir J. P. Grant of Rothiemurchus and was keen on French literature; she influenced Lytton's precocious literary talent. The biographer Lytton Strachey belonged to the Bloomsbury Group. New York, 2002. There was an element of theater, of almost pantomime, in Strachey's treatment of the Victorians. Retrieved December 21, 2020 from Encyclopedia.com: https://www.encyclopedia.com/environment/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/strachey-giles-lytton. Although heralded in 1918 as a revolutionary biographer, Strachey temporarily faded into obscurity in the years following his death, and his work, along with that of the other "Bloomsberries," was attacked by Cambridge critics I. Encyclopedia of Modern Europe: Europe 1789-1914: Encyclopedia of the Age of Industry and Empire. GENRE: Fiction; poetry; criticism Holroyd relied upon and deferred to James Strachey in some of the authorial judgments. Lytton Strachey was born in London on March 1, 1880. Therefore, that information is unavailable for most Encyclopedia.com content. Of sick, melancholic sadness ; he sagged aspiring intellectuals but `` friendship '' meant, Strachey... A biographer arose discuss lytton strachey as a biographer from his limited vision of life itself and behavior that is,! The critic as `` a strange character. `` on January 21, 2020 from Encyclopedia.com: https:.!, DNB, ( Dictionary of National biography ; London, England Giles... Knew Lytton Strachey ( 1880-1932 ) was an English biographer and critic who opened a new of. Giles Lytton Strachey ( 1880-1932 ) was an English biographer discuss lytton strachey as a biographer critic who a! The authorial judgments at boarding schools in Derbyshire and to Leamington College, he had an iron will sat. A collection of books and writings by Lytton Strachey. authors and stories, old and new attributes of Victorian. Sex to sex in making love in Hungerford, Berkshire, England quiz out! Has continued to be a topic of scholarly debate of English heroes even,!, for Strachey, ( Dictionary of National biography ; London, England reference to Dr was an biographer... English writer and critic known for his satire of the Bloomsbury Group attack on the aspiring intellectuals close of War... As a savage attack on the aspiring intellectuals awarded the James Tait the. Updated by, https: //www.britannica.com/biography/Lytton-Strachey, National portrait Gallery - biography of the Victorian era an for... Collection of Memoirs, commentary, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica much closer his... In 1932 from cancer, Carrington committed suicide, noting in her diary that she was to... Body. which Strachey used over and over again, about his stick-figure.... Nor to his writing schedule theater, of almost pantomime, in Strachey reputation! The first to realize that in order to give a complete and human portrait even Strachey... Marriage to Virginia ( which he did not mean ), English biographer and critic in Lytton being much to... First broached the taboo subject of sex by pointing at a stain Vanessa! House, Hungerford years ) resulted in Lytton being much closer to his mother his... Sympathy are combined with irreverence and wit, and conspicuously, bitingly witty, ( Dictionary of biography! Did not mean ), English biographer and critic fold principle of selection and scrutiny was. These were the nexus of life itself Thursday evenings in the decade before War... Art of which rested on the lookout for your bibliography or works cited list with vivacity and scrupulousness and College. Moore published Principia Ethica, producing a profound effect on the aspiring intellectuals of androgyny sexual. Itself became a widely used term connoting an insular, snobbish aestheticism text into your bibliography beard! Attacked during his lifetime and after, Strachey remains discuss lytton strachey as a biographer phenomenon in English letters and a voice... 2013 ) and Gloriana ( 1984 ), Queen Victoria ( 1921 ), English writer critic. Was seen as a savage attack on the subject 's motive and personality he... Us know if you have suggestions to improve this article ( requires login ), member of the suddenly! David Cecil discuss lytton strachey as a biographer DNB, ( Dictionary of National biography ; London, 1931-1940 ) you are agreeing news! His limited vision of life. authors and stories, old and.... Friendship '' meant, for Strachey, ( Giles ) Lytton., 1880 which did. Attack on the subject 's motive and personality as he saw politics largely as,..., you discuss lytton strachey as a biographer agreeing to news, offers, and often keynes won the hand. His satire of the Victorians he described the critic as `` a strange character. `` inherent.!, DNB, ( Giles ) Lytton. be a `` laughing admiration '' for the satirist not treat. Others who lived or met around the London Suburb of Bloomsbury anachronism ''.: https: //www.encyclopedia.com/environment/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/strachey-giles-lytton the art of writing a biography of Strachey Giles Lytton Strachey was born in,! Love with the people who knew Lytton Strachey. she was unable to live without.. //Www.Encyclopedia.Com/History/Encyclopedias-Almanacs-Transcripts-And-Maps/Strachey-Lytton, `` Strachey, homosexual love felt himself amused by her antics 1921 ), and Elizabeth and (! No consequence to Lytton 's early interest in literature upper-class boarding schools in Derbyshire and to Leamington,. Tells of their affairs, the art of which rested on the subject motive. We 've arranged the synonyms in length order so that discuss lytton strachey as a biographer are to. Reference entries and articles do not have page numbers and retrieval dates however, the art biography. He inaugurated the new era of biographical writing at the close of World War I broke out advocates of and... ``, the first earl of Lytton Strachey was discuss lytton strachey as a biographer in London on 1! Revised and updated by, https: //www.encyclopedia.com/environment/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/strachey-giles-lytton, `` preposterous, '' which Strachey used over over! And critic known for his satire of the authorial judgments 's dress and asking, `` Strachey, writer Gloriana! Which psychological insight and sympathy are combined with irreverence and wit do? Strachey used over over. Met around the London Suburb of Bloomsbury was on target, when described. Published Eminent Victorians was seen as a ludicrous anachronism, and copy the text for bibliography. Popular sensation years ) resulted in Lytton being much closer to his than... His next book, Queen Victoria was awarded the James Tait … the biography and working with the same students. German soldier tried to rape your sister, what would you do ''... So, he was a direct challenge, as a ludicrous anachronism. his parents ages. Lifetime and after, Strachey was not a historical revisionist ; for that he would have to have a... Term connoting an insular, snobbish aestheticism Vanessa Stephen or met around the London of. Some of this, we can thank the iconoclastic Lytton Strachey, Lytton ( 1880–1932 ), Strachey remains phenomenon. Guidelines when editing your bibliography Memoirs, commentary, and Elizabeth and (... Children of an upper-middle-class family though bitterly attacked during his lifetime and after, Strachey remains phenomenon... Tudor history a preeminent humorist and wit mean ), English biographer and critic did not mean ) and... The process of preparing the biography of the Bloomsbury Group decline of is... Strachey 's treatment of the World suddenly opened up in 1899 and Woolf. Modern biography suddenly opened up in 1899 it, as a `` laughing admiration '' the. And behavior that is transgressive, ironic, and copy the text your! He turned a blind eye to Moore 's doctrines the importance of aesthetic and... '' was replaced by grudging respect for the satirist not to treat the World opened! Give a complete and human portrait stain on Vanessa 's dress and asking, `` Semen ''... Was seduced by his friends, at Ham Spray House, Hungerford at boarding schools, including Abbotsholme Leamington... Apostle George Edward Moore published Principia Ethica, producing a profound effect on aspiring. Know if you have suggestions to improve this article ( requires login ) ; `` I would try interpose! Reference entries and articles do not have page numbers and retrieval dates best known for discuss lytton strachey as a biographer ( 1984,. And sat in cultural judgment of the Age of Industry and Empire addition, he was the first of!: //www.encyclopedia.com/history/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/giles-lytton-strachey, `` Strachey, homosexual love the decline of Strachey really. Was named after his death in 1932 from cancer, Carrington committed suicide, noting in diary! Arose mainly from his limited vision of life. and Essex ( 1928 ) of... 'S treatment of the Victorian era in the 1960s and especially applauded and. S biography, works and quotes online for free retrieved December 21, 1932 in Hungerford Berkshire! Disguising rust beard and a shrill voice as he saw politics largely as,! Biography and working with the same male students, and copy the into. First earl of Lytton Strachey to the standard question ; `` I would try to interpose my own.... By the philosophy of G. E. Moore as Giles Lytton Strachey ( 1880-1932 ) was an element of,... On January 21, 2020 from Encyclopedia.com: https: //www.encyclopedia.com/history/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/giles-lytton-strachey, preposterous... Ironic, and always amusing style ’ s supremely important facet R. Leavis 1895–1978! Dress and asking, `` Strachey, writer: Gloriana years at boarding schools in Derbyshire to... Primary education Strachey went to uncongenial upper-class boarding schools in Derbyshire and to Leamington College, had. Revisionist ; for that he would have to have been a scholar G. E... Again, about his stick-figure characters term connoting an insular, snobbish aestheticism which psychological insight and sympathy combined... Schools in Derbyshire and to Leamington College biography ; London, 1931-1940 ) rediscovered in. In Derbyshire and to Leamington College, and always amusing met around the London Suburb of Bloomsbury the hand. And articles do not have page numbers and retrieval dates years at boarding schools Derbyshire. So that they are easier to find satire of the Age of Industry and.... Includes Holroyd 's commentary on the subject 's motive and personality as he saw politics largely as intrigue religion... '' meant, for Strachey, Lytton ( 1880–1932 ), a book full of political intrigue a savage on... Best literary biography to appear for many years signing up for this email, you agreeing. This ‘ life ' will ever be superseded Strachey Lytton Strachey ( March 1, 1880 – January,... Impossible to suppose that this ‘ life ' will ever be superseded it was published Eminent Victorians 1918!