Who Is Evelyn Waugh? Age, Biography and Wiki
Evelyn Waugh was born on October 28, 1903, and he passed away on April 10, 1966, making him 62 years old at the time of his death. He is renowned for his contributions to literature and journalism, particularly known for his satirical novels that provide sharp commentary on British society. Waugh's works include classics such as Brideshead Revisited, Scoop, and A Handful of Dust. His unique writing style and keen observations earned him a lasting place in the canon of English literature. Despite his passing, Waugh's influence continues to resonate with readers and writers alike.
| Occupation | Journalist |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | October 28, 1903 |
| Age | 62 Years |
| Birth Place | West Hampstead, London, England |
| Horoscope | Scorpio |
| Country | England |
| Date of death | 10 April, 1966 |
| Died Place | Combe Florey, Somerset, England |
Popularity
Evelyn Waugh's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Evelyn Waugh stood at approximately 5 feet 8 inches (173 cm) tall. Although details about his weight and body measurements are scarce, he was known for his distinguishable, somewhat dapper appearance emblematic of the early to mid-20th century.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Evelyn Waugh was married to Evelyn Florence (known as "She" Waugh) in 1928, and they had three children together: Auberon, Margot, and Helena. The couple's relationship experienced ups and downs, leading to their separation in 1930 and eventual divorce in 1939. Waugh's personal life was often tumultuous, with complex relationships that inspired much of his literary work, but posthumously, his personal details remain a subject of interest among fans and scholars.
Arthur Evelyn St.
Distinguished relatives included Lord Cockburn (1779–1854), a leading Scottish advocate and judge, William Morgan (1750–1833), a pioneer of actuarial science who served The Equitable Life Assurance Society for 56 years, and Philip Henry Gosse (1810–1888), a natural scientist who became notorious through his depiction as a religious fanatic in
his son Edmund's memoir Father and Son.
Among ancestors bearing the Waugh name, the Rev. Alexander Waugh (1754–1827) was a minister in the Secession Church of Scotland who helped found the London Missionary Society and was one of the leading Nonconformist preachers of his day.
His grandson Alexander Waugh (1840–1906) was a country medical practitioner, who bullied his wife and children and became known in the Waugh family as "the Brute". The elder of Alexander's two sons, born in 1866, was Evelyn's father, Arthur Waugh.
Net Worth and Salary
During his lifetime, Waugh achieved considerable success, with his net worth estimated at several million dollars at the time of his death. Given his status as a renowned author and his subsequent posthumous sales, his estate continues to generate income through book reprints, adaptations, and literary royalties. As of 2025, his financial legacy endures, though specific figures remain undisclosed.
As an instinctive conservative, Waugh believed that class divisions, with inequalities of wealth and position, were natural and that "no form of government [was] ordained by God as being better than any other".
In the post-war "Age of the Common Man", he attacked socialism (the "Cripps–Attlee terror") and complained, after Churchill's election in 1951, that "the Conservative Party have never put the clock back a single second".
Waugh never voted in elections; in 1959, he expressed a hope that the Conservatives would win the election, which they did, but would not vote for them, saying "I should feel I was morally inculpated in their follies" and added: "I do not aspire to advise my sovereign in her choice of servants".
Career, Business and Investments
Evelyn Waugh's career spanned over three decades, during which he wrote numerous novels, plays, and essays. His unique perspective on British aristocracy and societal norms made his works resonate with audiences. In addition to literature, Waugh worked as a journalist, contributing to several notable publications and garnering a reputation for his incisive commentary.
Waugh's business acumen was notably less pronounced; he focused primarily on his literary career rather than investments or entrepreneurship. However, the enduring popularity of his works has solidified his financial legacy in the publishing world.
After attending Sherborne School and New College, Oxford, Arthur Waugh began a career in publishing and as a literary critic. In 1902 he became managing director of Chapman and Hall, publishers of the works of Charles Dickens. Alec Waugh later became a novelist of note.
On 7 January 1904 the boy was christened Arthur Evelyn St John Waugh but was known in the family and in the wider world as Evelyn.
Social Network
While Evelyn Waugh did not participate in modern social networks given his era, a legacy of his work continues to thrive through various platforms and forums dedicated to literature. Fans engage in discussions on social media, sharing insights and analyses of his works, illustrating the timeless appeal of his writing. Online communities and book clubs celebrate his contributions, and many literary social network groups have dedicated threads for Waugh enthusiasts.
Waugh arrived in Oxford in January 1922. He was soon writing to old friends at Lancing about the pleasures of his new life; he informed Tom Driberg: "I do no work here and never go to Chapel".
During his first two terms, he generally followed convention; he smoked a pipe, bought a bicycle, and gave his maiden speech at the Oxford Union, opposing the motion that "This House would welcome Prohibition". Waugh wrote reports on Union debates for both Oxford magazines, Cherwell and Isis, and he acted as a film critic for Isis.
He also became secretary of the Hertford College debating society, "an onerous but not honorific post", he told Driberg.
Although Waugh tended to regard his scholarship as a reward for past efforts rather than a stepping-stone to future academic success, he did sufficient work in his first two terms to pass his "History Previous", an essential preliminary examination.
Education
Evelyn Waugh was educated at Lancing College and later attended Hertford College, Oxford. His academic experience significantly shaped his literary style and thematic choices. At Oxford, he developed a passion for literature and the arts, paving the way for his future as one of England's most celebrated authors.
Waugh, the son of a publisher, was educated at Lancing College and then at Hertford College, Oxford. He worked briefly as a schoolmaster before he became a full-time writer. As a young man, he acquired many fashionable and aristocratic friends and developed a taste for country house society.
