Anthony Powell

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Anthony Powell, a renowned novelist of manners, was born into a family deeply rooted in English history, which provided him an ideal vantage point for observing and chronicling societal changes. Educated at prestigious institutions, his experiences shaped his writings, leading to a significant literary career. Powell's works, notably A Dance to the Music of Time, reflect his keen observations of the English middle and upper classes across decades.

Early Life and Education

Anthony Dymoke Powell entered the world in London on December 21, 1905, as the son of military man P.L.W. Powell and Maud Wells-Dymoke, a member of a distinguished Lincolnshire lineage. His paternal heritage traced back to a venerable Welsh military family, while his maternal side boasted influential landowners. Powell's formative years unfolded at Eton from 1919 to 1923, followed by Balliol College, Oxford, where he earned his degree in history in 1926. These experiences afforded him an insider's perspective on the evolving landscape of English society post-World War I. Due to his father's military obligations, the family frequently resided on the European continent, further exposing Powell to diverse European cultures.

Literary Beginnings

Following his academic pursuits, Powell delved into the publishing world with Duckworth, the publisher of his debut novel, Afternoon Men (1931). He soon penned Venusberg (1932), set in a fictional Baltic state, showcasing his grasp of European societal norms. His subsequent novel, From a View to a Death (1933), explored English provincial life, delving into themes like hunting, aristocracy, and the social ambitions of artists and unconventional military figures.

Marriage and Film Writing

In 1934, Powell married Lady Violet Pakenham, daughter of Brigadier the Fifth Earl of Longford, which marked a new chapter in his career. He transitioned from publishing to screenwriting, creating film scripts for Warner Brothers of Great Britain. His sharp critique of the film industry materialized in the satirical novel Agents and Patients (1936). During this period, he also reviewed books for the London Daily Telegraph and crafted What’s Become of Waring (1939), a narrative centered on a literary deception. This marked the conclusion of Powell's initial phase as a writer before World War II intervened.

Wartime Service and Postwar Literature

World War II interrupted Powell's literary pursuits as he joined the Welch Regiment in 1939. Initially serving as an infantry second lieutenant, he was later appointed to the intelligence corps, where he liaised with Polish, Belgian, Czech, and French forces. By the war's end, he had achieved the rank of major and received honors from the Czech and Belgian armies. During his wartime leaves, Powell gathered material for a biography on the seventeenth-century antiquarian John Aubrey, eventually publishing John Aubrey and His Friends (1948, 1963). Upon his discharge in 1946, his family expanded with the birth of his second son, John.

Return to Fiction and Major Works

In 1951, Powell resumed his literary career with A Question of Upbringing, the first installment of the ambitious twelve-volume series A Dance to the Music of Time (1951-1975). Drawing extensively from his personal experiences, Powell's series sought to encapsulate the essence of English society that intrigued him. Although the narrator, Nicholas Jenkins, mirrors Powell's own background, the work transcends autobiography. Instead, it keenly observes the social and intellectual zeitgeist of Powell's era.

Editorial Roles and Continued Writing

Powell's editorial acumen saw him assume the role of chief review editor at The Times Literary Supplement in 1947. In 1953, he transitioned to become the literary editor of the British humor magazine Punch, contributing reviews and parodies until 1959, when he dedicated himself fully to A Dance to the Music of Time and resumed...

(This entire section contains 964 words.)

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reviewing for theDaily Telegraph. His critiques reached a wide audience, including contributions to The New York Times and other British publications.

International Recognition and Travels

The entirety of Powell's celebrated series was published by Heinemann in the UK, while Little, Brown took over its publication in the US from the fourth volume onward. Despite its distinctly British essence, the series found popularity across the Atlantic, garnering an enthusiastic American readership. Powell, alongside Lady Violet, frequently traveled across Europe and returned to the US several times, including a lecture circuit in 1961 and a visit to their son at Cornell University in 1965.

Diverse Creative Pursuits

In 1971, Powell expanded his literary repertoire with the publication of two plays, “The Garden God” and “The Rest I’ll Whistle”, both exhibiting his flair for comedies of manners. The former, set on a cruise to a Greek island, prefigures his later work The Fisher King (1986), while the latter draws comedic inspiration from Greek tragedy, set against a backdrop of the Welsh borderlands.

Memoirs and Later Works

Upon completing A Dance to the Music of Time at age sixty-nine, Powell embarked on creating his memoirs, To Keep the Ball Rolling (1976-1982). This four-volume work mirrors the scope and depth of his fictional masterpiece, offering insights into the same epoch and employing a similarly fluid narrative structure. His memoirs chronicle not only his life but also the lives of his contemporaries, weaving together personal and social histories.

Return to Fiction and Journals

The 1980s saw Powell's return to fiction with O, How the Wheel Becomes It! (1983), a novella examining the ripple effects of a brief romance from the 1920s on a modern literary critic. The Fisher King (1986) followed, a complex narrative entwined with past events, echoing the intricacies of A Dance to the Music of Time. While his pre-war novels remained noteworthy, A Dance to the Music of Time secured its place as his crowning achievement.

Powell's later years were marked by the publication of his Journals from 1995 to 1997, beginning in 1982 as he embarked on his novella. After concluding The Fisher King, the journals became his primary creative outlet. Across three volumes, they offer a rich tapestry of insights into his literary circle, including friendships with prominent authors, alongside reflections on his creative processes and insights into his literary sensibilities.

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