Who Is Anthony Burgess? Age, Biography and Wiki
Anthony Burgess was born on February 25, 1917, and passed away on November 22, 1993. Although Burgess is no longer with us, his legacy in literature and music continues to influence writers and composers alike. Known primarily for his novel A Clockwork Orange, Burgess was a prolific author who produced over 30 novels, alongside numerous essays, short stories, and works of music. In 2025, celebrations and remembrances of his life and work are ongoing, paying tribute to his contributions to the arts.
| Occupation | Autobiographer |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | February 25, 1917 |
| Age | 76 Years |
| Birth Place | Harpurhey, Manchester, England |
| Horoscope | Pisces |
| Country | England |
| Date of death | 22 November, 1993 |
| Died Place | St John's Wood, London, England |
Popularity
Anthony Burgess's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
While specific statistics relating to Burgess's height and weight during his lifetime are less documented, he was described as a tall and slender man. His physical presence was often noted in conjunction with his dynamic personality and engaging storytelling style. If he were still alive today, one could speculate that he would maintain an impressive demeanor.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Anthony Burgess was married twice. His first marriage was to Llewela "Pauline" Isherwood, but the couple later divorced. His second marriage was to Liana Burgess, whom he wed in 1968 and remained with until his death. There are no publicly known boyfriends or girlfriends, as Burgess was predominantly focused on his familial and marital relationships within his adult life.
He described his background as lower middle class; growing up during the Great Depression, his parents, who were shopkeepers, were fairly well off, as the demand for their tobacco and alcohol wares remained constant. He was known in childhood as Jack, Little Jack, and Johnny Eagle.
At his confirmation, the name Anthony was added and he became John Anthony Burgess Wilson. He began using the pen name Anthony Burgess upon the publication of his 1956 novel Time for a Tiger.
Net Worth and Salary
At the time of his death in 1993, Anthony Burgess's estimated net worth was approximately $2 million, considering his prolific writing career and the adaptations of his work into films and stage productions. In 2025, his estate continues to generate income through royalties from his published works and adaptations, reinforcing his status as a literary icon.
Burgess was a Conservative (though, as he clarified in an interview with The Paris Review, his political views could be considered "a kind of anarchism" since his ideal of a "Catholic Jacobite imperial monarch" was not practicable) a (lapsed) Catholic and monarchist, harbouring a distaste for all republics.
He believed socialism for the most part was "ridiculous" but did "concede that socialised medicine is a priority in any civilised country today". To avoid the 90% tax the family would have incurred because of their high income, they left Britain and toured Europe in a Bedford Dormobile motor-home.
During their travels through France and across the Alps, Burgess wrote in the back of the van as Liana drove.
Career, Business and Investments
Anthony Burgess enjoyed a remarkable career as a writer, composer, and philologist. His literary career encompasses novels, screenplays, and essays, with A Clockwork Orange being his most famous work. Beyond writing, Burgess was also a talented composer, creating various orchestral and chamber music pieces. In addition to literature, Burgess had interests in languages, which he often incorporated into his novels, showcasing his profound understanding of linguistics. His investments in literary projects and music continue to bear fruit, ensuring his influence in both venues.
Burgess lived for a number of years in the United States, working as writer-in-residence at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1969, as a visiting professor at Princeton University with the creative writing program in 1970, and as a distinguished professor at the City College of New York in 1972.
At City College he was a close colleague and friend of Joseph Heller. He went on to teach creative writing at Columbia University, lectured on the novel at the University of Iowa in 1975, and was and at the University at Buffalo in 1976.
Eventually he settled in Monaco in 1976, where he was active in the local community, becoming a co-founder of the Princess Grace Irish Library, a centre for Irish cultural studies, in 1984.
Social Network
As of 2025, Anthony Burgess's presence can still be felt in literary circles and on various social media platforms posthumously, where dedicated fans and scholars discuss his works and their relevance today. Celebrate his memory through digital tributes and online discussions, sharing insights about his impact on culture, literature, and music. Communities dedicated to film adaptations and literary critique keep his legacy alive, bridging generations of readers with his thought-provoking narratives.
Burgess has said of his largely solitary childhood "I was either distractedly persecuted or ignored. I was one despised. ... Ragged boys in gangs would pounce on the well-dressed like myself." Burgess attended St. Edmund's Elementary School, before moving on to Bishop Bilsborrow Memorial Elementary School, both Catholic schools, in Moss Side.
He later reflected "When I went to school I was able to read. At the Manchester elementary school I attended, most of the children could not read, so I was ... a little apart, rather different from the rest." Good grades resulted in a place at Xaverian College (1928–37).
Education
Anthony Burgess studied at the University of Manchester, where he gained a keen interest in literature and linguistics. His education supported his dual passions for writing and music, both of which he pursued passionately throughout his life. The influence of his educational background is evident in his complex storytelling and innovative use of language, characteristics that define his literary contributions.
Burgess was indifferent to music until he heard on his home-built radio "a quite incredible flute solo", which he characterised as "sinuous, exotic, erotic", and became spellbound. Eight minutes later the announcer told him he had been listening to Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune by Claude Debussy.
He referred to this as a "psychedelic moment ... a recognition of verbally inexpressible spiritual realities". When Burgess announced to his family that he wanted to be a composer, they objected as "there was no money in it". Music was not taught at his school, but at the age of about 14 he taught himself to play the piano.
