W. Somerset Maugham Biography
W. Somerset Maugham is beloved by Hollywood. Many of Maugham’s plays, novels, and short stories have been adapted into films. In part, this can be attributed to his enormous output, but it is even more closely tied to his enduring popularity. That popularity and the lucrative financial benefits that it brought had a negative impact on Maugham’s literary reputation. A writer who was too often written off as well-liked rather than well-respected, Maugham frequently joked about his own apparent inferiority. Despite his modesty, Maugham created a body of work characterized by incredible range. While he was known for fluffy tales like Theatre (which was adapted into the 2004 film Being Julia), his dark, late-career novel The Razor’s Edge proved Maugham was an author of substance.
Facts and Trivia
- Although of British descent, Maugham was born in Paris. To prevent Maugham from being drafted into the military under French law, Maugham’s father arranged for his son to be born on British Embassy grounds.
- Despite his gift with language on the page, Maugham suffered from a severe stutter throughout his life.
- Maugham was one of the “Literary Ambulance Drivers” of World War I. The moniker was a slang term for the unusually high number of literary greats (such as Ernest Hemingway and E. E. Cummings) who served as ambulance drivers during the war.
- Maugham briefly did intelligence work at the end of the First World War. The written account of his experiences was highly influential on Ian Fleming, the creator of James Bond.
- For half a decade, Maugham studied medicine. Though the experience would continue to influence his writing for the rest of his life, it was particularly crucial to his first and highly successful novel, Liza of Lambeth.
Biography
W. Somerset Maugham, celebrated as a prolific writer, had a life marked by both literary success and personal challenges. Born into a well-connected family, his upbringing and experiences shaped his distinctive voice. From his formative years in France to his extensive travels around the globe, Maugham’s life was as rich and varied as the stories he told.
Early Life and Family Background
William Somerset Maugham's entry into the world was somewhat prestigious, born at the British Embassy in Paris, which automatically granted him British citizenship. His childhood unfolded in France, and though he remained ever loyal to his English heritage, his affection for France persisted throughout his life. It was this country that became his second home, where he spent many vacations and eventually passed away at his beloved Villa Mauresque on Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat.
Maugham hailed from a lineage deeply embedded in the legal profession. His father, Robert Ormond Maugham, served as a solicitor at the British Embassy in Paris, while his grandfather was allegedly a founder of the Law Society in England. Maugham’s brother, Frederick Herbert Maugham, achieved distinction as a lawyer, politician, and writer, known as the first Viscount Maugham of Hartfield. His mother, Edith Mary Snell Maugham, was a celebrated beauty and socialite in Paris. Her untimely death at forty-one left a lasting impact on Maugham, and her portrait remained by his bedside for the duration of his life. Of her six sons, only a few survived into adulthood. Notably, his brother Charles Ormond Maugham followed the legal path, leading the family law firm in Paris, while Henry Neville Maugham, an unsuccessful writer, tragically ended his own life in 1904.
Education and Early Influences
In 1884, young Maugham found himself uprooted from his Paris home to live with his uncle, the Reverend Henry MacDonald Maugham, in Whitstable, Kent. There, he experienced a stark change in environment, as his uncle's wife was of aristocratic German descent. While his elder brothers attended Dover College, Maugham was sent to the prestigious King's School in Canterbury. Despite his struggles with stuttering and the harsh discipline of the school's staff, he later became one of its benefactors, contributing to the establishment of a library that bears his name.
The year 1890 saw Maugham heading to the Riviera for recovery from a recurring lung ailment, which would periodically afflict him throughout his life. During his convalescence, he immersed himself in French literature, a passion that would deeply influence his writing style. In his reflections in "The Summing Up," Maugham credited the works of Guy de Maupassant as pivotal in shaping his literary aspirations.
Medical Studies and Literary Beginnings
Maugham left King's School in 1891, persuading his uncle to allow him to study in Heidelberg, where he developed a penchant for philosophy under Kuno Fischer's tutelage. He also discovered a love for drama, engaging in lively discussions with fellow students. From 1892 to 1895, Maugham pursued medical studies at St. Thomas’s Hospital in London, a period rich with experiences that would influence his writing. His time in the wards, clinics, and as an obstetrical clerk in the impoverished Lambeth district exposed him to the raw realities of life, providing the backdrop for his first novel, "Liza of Lambeth." The success of this novel encouraged him to abandon a medical career in favor of writing, a decision he later regretted as it deprived him of further insights into human nature under duress.
Theatrical Success and Personal Life
Maugham's foray into playwriting during the early 1900s culminated in 1907 when he found significant success in the theater. After years of diligent effort, he focused on crafting plays...
(This entire section contains 1050 words.)
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with the distinct goal of achieving commercial success. "Lady Frederick," his initial endeavor in this direction, eventually premiered at the Court Theatre, followed by a string of theatrical hits including "Jack Straw," "Mrs. Dot," and "The Explorer." This theatrical triumph liberated him from financial concerns, allowing him to concentrate fully on his writing.
His personal life took a notable turn in 1913 with an affair with Syrie Wellcome, a relationship that was openly accepted in his social circle. The onset of World War I found Maugham volunteering for ambulance service, a role that provided physical challenges but relieved him of personal decision-making burdens.
World War I and Post-War Travels
Maugham’s involvement in World War I extended beyond ambulance work when, through Syrie, he joined the intelligence branch of the British forces as a spy in Switzerland. Despite his activities raising suspicions, he used writing as a cover, publishing his acclaimed novel "Of Human Bondage" in 1915, a work so intertwined with his life that he later struggled to separate fact from fiction.
The following year, Maugham traveled to the South Seas for health reasons, accompanied by Gerald Haxton, a close companion he met in the ambulance corps. Their journey inspired some of Maugham’s most celebrated works, including the short story "Miss Sadie Thompson" and the novel "The Moon and Sixpence," inspired by the story of artist Paul Gauguin.
Later Years and Lasting Legacy
The interwar period saw Maugham embark on extensive travels, revisiting the South Seas, exploring the Far East, and touring North America and Europe. His works continued to flow prolifically, resonating with readers worldwide.
Maugham’s marriage to Syrie ended in divorce in 1927, a separation marked by enduring acrimony. Shortly thereafter, he acquired his cherished Villa Mauresque, where he settled for the remainder of his life, save for the disruptions of World War II. His writings from this period, including "Ashenden: Or, The British Agent" and "Cakes and Ale," further cemented his reputation as a master storyteller.
In 1933, Maugham retired from playwriting, candidly admitting a disconnect with the new generation of theatergoers. As World War II loomed, he wisely relocated his art collection to safety with friends in France and spent the war years in the United States. His later years were punctuated by his mystic novel "The Razor’s Edge," underscoring his belief in human kindness.
Returning to France after the war, Maugham delved into film and television, adapting his stories for the screen. Acknowledged for his contributions to literature, Oxford University awarded him an honorary doctorate, and he was named a Companion of Honor. His last years were spent in reflective solitude, culminating in his passing in 1965 at a hospital in Nice, leaving behind a legacy of rich, enduring storytelling.
Criticism by W. Somerset Maugham
