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:

Letters of Anders Naessil, including five from Arthur Koestler

Fonds — Box CLX-A-1141

Identifier: Coll-1936

Content Description This fonds includes seven letters of Anders Naessil: five from Arthur Koestler to A. Naessil, one from A. Naessil to Newsweek magazine, and one from Marie Whiteside, Editor of Newsweek to A. Naessil. Letter from Koestler to Naessil replying to a previous letter, mentioning Naessil's book on Hemingway, Sartre, and a Nobel banquet that Koestler attended. Dated 21 June 1980. Letter from...

Dates: 1980-1983

Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections

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Subject: Literature X