Alec Waugh
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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 maried 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 marriage to a rich Australian. 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 1920's.
Other Books
- Hot Countries (1930) , with woodcuts by Lynd Ward
- Wheels Within Wheels (1933)
- Where the Clock Chimes Twice (1952)
- Island in the Sun (1957) (best selling novel)
- My Brother Evelyn and Other Portraits (1976)
- A FAMILY OF ISLANDS ([1964]) , A History of the West Indies
Quotes
- The first duty of wine is to be red. The second is to be a Burgundy. In Praise of Wine
- I am prepared to believe that a dry martini slightly impairs the palate, but think what it does for the soul. In Praise of Wine
