Koestler, Arthur, CBE, 1905-1983 (Hungarian-British author and journalist)

Person

Staff Only

Dates

Existence: 1905 - 1983

Biography

Arthur Koestler was a Hungarian-British author and journalist. He was born in Budapest, 5 September 1905, and, apart from his early school years, was educated in Austria. In 1931 Koestler joined the Communist Party of Germany until, disillusioned by Stalinism, he resigned in 1938. In 1940 he published his novel Darkness at Noon, an anti-totalitarian work that gained him international fame. Over the next 43 years, from his residence in Britain, Koestler espoused many political causes, and wrote novels, memoirs, biographies and numerous essays. In 1968 he was awarded the Sonning Prize 'for [his] outstanding contribution to European culture' and in 1972 he was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE). In 1976 he was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease and in 1979 with terminal leukaemia. In 1983 he and his wife killed themselves at their home in London, 1 March 1983.

Found in 1 Collection or Record:

Dust jacket artwork by Joseph Gross for Arthur Koestler's Arrow in the Blue, 1952

Item — Box CLX-A-1591

Identifier: Coll-1848/20-0059

Scope and Contents This is a dust jacket artwork for Arthur Koestler's Arrow in the Blue, an autobiography which was published in 1952 by Collins with Hamish Hamilton Ltd. The artwork is by Joseph Gross. There are manuscript instructions and dimensions written around the image. On the verso there are two labels: the artist's label "Joseph Gross 146, Evening Rd, London N 16", and the publisher Collins's label stamped "3 June 1952" with further information...

Dates: 1952

Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / Smaller acquisitions collection

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Subject: Book design X