The publication of The Alexandria Quartet between 1957 and 1960 cemented the literary standing of Lawrence Durrell, an expatriate writer whose career spanned multiple genres including poetry, drama, and the novel. Born in Jalandhar in 1912, he spent his adult life traveling extensively, eventually settling in France before his death in 1990 in Sommières.
Formative Years and Education
Born to British colonial parents in India, Durrell moved to England at age 11 for his schooling. He attended institutions including St. Joseph's School in Darjeeling, St Olave's and St Saviour's Grammar School, and St Edmund's School. Finding formal education unsuccessful, he began writing poetry at 15. His first collection, Quaint Fragments, appeared in 1931 when he was 19.
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In 1935, Durrell married Nancy Isobel Myers and relocated to the Greek island of Corfu to escape what he characterized as the stultifying atmosphere of England. During this period, he published his first novel, Pied Piper of Lovers. He developed an enduring professional and personal relationship with Henry Miller after reading Tropic of Cancer, an encounter that influenced his subsequent work, including the 1938 novel The Black Book.
Professional Life and Literary Recognition
To support his literary pursuits, Durrell worked for many years in the Foreign Service of the British government. His experiences during World War II, specifically in Alexandria, Egypt, provided the backdrop for his most significant contribution to literature, The Alexandria Quartet. Later, he explored similar narrative techniques in The Avignon Quintet, the first volume of which, Monsieur, or the Prince of Darkness, earned him the James Tait Black Memorial Prize in 1974.
Later Years and Legacy
Throughout his life, Durrell received recognition for his contributions to letters, including a CBE and a Cholmondeley Award in 1986. He was a member of the Royal Society of Literature. Following his death in 1990, he was buried at the Chapelle Saint-Julien de Montredon. The International Lawrence Durrell Society, established in 1980, continues to maintain a scholarly focus on his body of work through conferences and the publication of the journal Deus Loci.
Fast facts
- Born: 1912, Jalandhar
- Died: 1990, Sommières
- Notable work: The Alexandria Quartet
- Key award: James Tait Black Memorial Prize (1974)
- Citizenship: United Kingdom
- Burial place: Chapelle Saint-Julien de Montredon
Questions readers ask
What was Lawrence Durrell's most famous literary work?
His most recognized series is The Alexandria Quartet, which was published between 1957 and 1960.
Did Durrell work outside of writing?
Yes, he supported his writing career for many years while employed in the Foreign Service of the British government.
Achievements
- James Tait Black Memorial Prize — 1974
- Commander of the Order of the British Empire
- Notable work: The Alexandria Quartet
- Genres: travel book, memoir and essay
