Who Is Quentin Crisp? Age, Biography, and Wiki
Quentin Crisp was born on December 25, 1908, and passed away on November 21, 1999. As of 2025, he would have been 116 years old if he were still alive. Renowned for his wit, wisdom, and defiance against societal norms, Crisp’s life story has inspired countless individuals around the globe. His notable work includes his autobiography, The Naked Civil Servant, which details his experiences as a gay man in Britain and has been adapted into a successful television film.
| Occupation | Graphic Designer |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | December 25, 1908 |
| Age | 90 Years |
| Birth Place | Sutton, Surrey, England |
| Horoscope | Capricorn |
| Country | England |
| Date of death | 21 November, 1999 |
| Died Place | Manchester, England |
Popularity
Quentin Crisp's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Despite his neglect of physical appearance during much of his early life, Quentin Crisp was known for his distinctive presence. While exact measurements aren't available, his height was approximately 5 feet 7 inches (170 cm) tall. As with many aspects of his life, Crisp embraced a unique body image, which paralleled his philosophy of self-acceptance.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Quentin Crisp had a notably tumultuous relationship history, reflective of his unapologetic lifestyle. While he never married, he had long-term relationships and numerous connections. His most significant relationship was with a man named Orage, who was a notable figure in his life. Crisp often commented on the dynamics of relationships, shedding light on love, companionship, and the challenges he faced in a society that was predominantly heterosexual.
Net Worth and Salary
At the time of his passing in 1999, Quentin Crisp's net worth was estimated to be around $1 million. Since his death, his works and legacy have continued to accumulate value, leading to a resurgence of interest in his writings and adapting his life story into various formats. Although exact figures are not available for 2025, it is anticipated that his estate continues to thrive through book royalties and adaptations.
As he had done in London, Crisp allowed his telephone number to be listed in the telephone directory. He saw it as his duty to converse with anyone who called him, saying "If you don't have your name in the phone book, you're stuck with your friends.
How will you ever enlarge your horizons?" He answered the phone with the phrase: "Yes, Lord?", or "Oh yes?", in a querulous tone of voice. His openness to strangers extended to accepting dinner invitations from almost anyone.
While he expected that the host would pay for dinner, Crisp did his best to "sing for his supper" by regaling his host with wonderful stories and yarns, much as he did in his theatrical performances.
Career, Business, and Investments
Quentin Crisp's career spanned decades, encompassing writing, acting, and various public engagements. After publishing The Naked Civil Servant, he became a celebrated figure, frequently appearing on television and in films. He also wrote several other books, including How to Have a Lifestyle and The Naked Civil Servant: A Biography, which showcased his insights into art, culture, and his perspectives on life. Additionally, he was known for his public speaking engagements, where he shared his life experiences and thoughts on individuality and acceptance.
Crisp left his job as an engineer's tracer in 1942 to become a model in life classes in London and the Home Counties.
Crisp wanted to call his book I Reign in Hell, a reference to Milton's Paradise Lost ("Better to reign in Hell, than serve in Heaven"), but his agent insisted on The Naked Civil Servant, an insistence that later gave him pause when he offered the manuscript to Tom Maschler of Jonathan Cape on the same day that Desmond Morris delivered The Naked Ape
.
The Naked Civil Servant was published in 1968 to generally good reviews, although it initially only sold 3,500 copies. Crisp was then approached by the documentary film maker Denis Mitchell to be the subject of a 1968 short film in which he discussed his life and lifestyle. The documentary aired on British television in 1971.
Social Network
Crisp was an early adopter of the notion of using media as a form of outreach and connection. Although social media in the form that we know today did not exist during his life, his influence permeated various platforms. His legacy continues to resonate within LGBTQ+ communities and beyond, often memorialized across social networks, blogs, and fan pages celebrating his life and contributions.
Quentin Crisp (born Denis Charles Pratt; December 25, 1908 – November 21, 1999) was an English raconteur, whose work in the public eye included a memoir of his life and various media appearances. Before becoming well known, he was an artist's model, hence the title of his most famous work, The Naked Civil Servant.
He afterwards became a gay icon due to his flamboyant personality, fashion sense, and wit. His iconic status was occasionally controversial due to his remarks about subjects like the AIDS crisis, inviting censure from gay activists including human-rights campaigner Peter Tatchell.
Education
Quentin Crisp's formal education took place in private schooling; however, much of his knowledge and outlook on life seemed to stem from self-education and personal experience. Crisp was well-read and engaged in a variety of intellectual pursuits, which he often reflected in his writings and public discussions.
He changed his name to Quentin Crisp in his twenties after leaving home, and expressed a feminine appearance to a degree that shocked contemporary Londoners and provoked "gay-bashing" assaults.
