Lytton Strachey Quotes

A collection of quotes by Lytton Strachey.

Lytton Strachey (1880-1932) was a prominent British biographer and critic known for his unconventional approach to writing biography. He was born on March 1, 1880, in London, to a prominent upper-middle-class family. Strachey studied at Cambridge University where he became involved in the Bloomsbury Group, an influential circle of intellectuals and artists known for their innovative ideas.

Strachey's most notable work is "Eminent Victorians" (1918), a collection of biographical essays that challenged the traditional hagiographical approach to writing about historical figures. In this book, he provided satirical and often controversial portrayals of four individuals from the Victorian era, including Cardinal Manning, Florence Nightingale, General Gordon, and Thomas Arnold. "Eminent Victorians" was a significant departure from the usual tone and style of biographical writing at the time.

Aside from "Eminent Victorians," Strachey wrote several other biographies, including "Queen Victoria" (1921) and "Elizabeth and Essex" (1928). His distinctive style fused meticulous research with an irreverent and often witty narrative voice, making his works popular and influential.

Lytton Strachey's biographies were praised for their psychological insights and their exploration of the private lives and personal motivations of his subjects. His innovative approach to biography opened new doors in the genre, greatly influencing subsequent generations of writers. Lytton Strachey died on January 21, 1932, leaving a lasting impact on the field of biography with his provocative and compelling works.