Louis Auchincloss was a man of many talents, seamlessly blending careers as both a distinguished lawyer and an accomplished writer. Born into a prosperous family, he initially followed in his father's footsteps, pursuing law while nurturing a passion for literature. Throughout his life, Auchincloss navigated between these two worlds, ultimately becoming one of America's most respected authors of his time.

Early Life and Family Background

Born on September 27, 1917, in Lawrence, Long Island, Louis Auchincloss was the third of four children in a family rooted in prosperity. The Auchinclosses, of Scottish descent, had established themselves in New York City, initially through the wool trade before expanding into various professions. Louis’s father, Howland Auchincloss, a Yale graduate from the class of 1908, practiced law on Wall Street. He and his wife, Priscilla Stanton, ensured their children grew up in comfort, though shielded from the full extent of their wealth.

Parental Influences

Howland, despite achieving great success in his legal career, often succumbed to the pressures of his work, experiencing what might now be termed "workaholism" and suffering from nervous breakdowns in his later years. This aspect of Wall Street life left a profound impression on young Louis, prompting him to question the dominance of his father's career over family life. Meanwhile, Priscilla Stanton Auchincloss, despite her own emotional challenges stemming from childhood trauma, provided a source of strength and a perspective on human behavior that deeply influenced her son's observational skills and memory.

Educational Journey

Auchincloss began his formal education at the Boyce School in Manhattan, where he mingled with classmates who would later become notable actors. However, the school closed its doors just before the infamous Wall Street crash of 1929. He then attended the Groton School in Massachusetts, a breeding ground for future diplomats and leaders. Although initially feeling isolated due to a prank gone awry, he excelled academically, later crediting a teacher, Malcolm Strachan, for teaching him to read for enjoyment rather than purely for achievement.

College Years and Early Writing

In 1935, Auchincloss followed family tradition by enrolling at Yale University. Here, he indulged his love for literature, reading extensively and even attempting to write his own novel, which was ultimately rejected by Scribner’s. Taking this as a sign, he decided to forgo his senior year and pursue law at the University of Virginia, focusing intently on his studies while avoiding the literary temptations he likened to an addiction.

Legal Career and Military Service

Auchincloss found his niche in legal studies, drawing parallels between the precision of legal prose and the art of literature. Upon graduating in 1941, he joined the prestigious law firm Sullivan and Cromwell. However, his legal career was briefly interrupted by World War II, during which he served as a naval officer, experiencing both administrative roles and active combat zones. This period also allowed him time to read extensively, an intellectual pursuit he maintained throughout his life.

Return to Civilian Life and Dual Careers

After the war, Auchincloss returned to Sullivan and Cromwell and completed his novel, The Indifferent Children, which was published under a pseudonym to protect his family’s reputation. The positive reception encouraged him to continue writing in his spare time, producing works like The Injustice Collectors and Sybil. Eventually, Auchincloss left Sullivan and Cromwell, deciding to dedicate himself entirely to writing, though he would later return to law with another firm, balancing these dual careers successfully.

Personal Life and Professional Balance

In 1957, Auchincloss married Adele Lawrence, a woman with a prominent family background, and together they had three sons. His ability to manage both his legal...