Henry Graham Greene - Oxford University, Facts and Personal Life
Henry Graham Greene's Personal Details
Read about, Graham Greene, one of the most-acclaimed English writers in the biography and come across all the important information about his profile, childhood, life and timeline.
| Information | Detail |
|---|---|
| Birthday | October 2, 1904 |
| Died on | April 3, 1991 |
| Nationality | British |
| Famous | Oxford University, Writers, Novelists |
| Spouses | Vivien |
| Siblings | Elisabeth, Hugh, Raymond |
| Known as | Graham Greene |
| Childrens | Francis Hugh Greene, Lucy Greene |
| Universities |
|
| Notable Alumnis |
|
| Birth Place | Berkhamste |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
| Gender | Male |
| Father | Charles Henry Greene |
| Mother | Marion Raymond Greene |
| Sun Sign | Libra |
| Born in | Berkhamste |
| Famous as | Novelist |
| Died at Age | 86 |
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Henry Graham Greene's photo
Who is Henry Graham Greene?
Graham Greene, one of the most popular writers of the twentieth century, is also unquestionably one of the best novelists known to us. With almost all his novels being made into films, this prodigious writer had introduced to the world a new style of writing, which was interestingly "not a specifically literary style at all” (Evelyn Waugh). His works, most of which were based on the importance of religion, especially Catholicism are known for their appeal and readability and were never tedious. They would often deal with the aspects of good and evil, which lead either to salvation or damnation. However, he also wrote, what he classified as a series of ‘entertainments’ which include several thrillers. An introvert since childhood, Greene was sadly a victim of bipolar disease and would often go through spells of depression. In search of solace, he embraced religion and spiritualism, and thus, became an advocate of Catholicism. What he presented through his novels was a mental anatomy of an individual’s life, marked by his/her happiness, misery and proximity to spiritualism, which ultimately decide his/her fate. Most of his stories are gloomy and tragic, with his characters grappling with the mundane struggles of life. Learn more about this great writer, in the biography below.
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Childhood & Early Life
Greene was born in St. John’s House, the boarding house of school, where his parents lived and his father was the school’s housemaster. His family was the descendant of the wealthy and influential owners of the Greene King brewery.
He attended the St. John’s House in 1910, where his father was appointed the headmaster. As a student he was quiet and reserved, which made him vulnerable to bullies.
Severely depressed, he tried to commit suicide a number of times, for which in 1920, at the age of 16, he was sent to London to be treated through psychoanalysis.
Six months later, he returned to school and in 1922, and for a brief period he was a part of the Communist Party of Great Britain.
‘Babbling April’, his first set of poems was published in 1925, while he was at the Balliol College, Oxford, from where he graduated with a second-class degree in history.
Career
At first he worked with the ‘Nottingham Journal’, before taking up the job of a copy editor with ‘The Times’ in 1926.
He published his first novel ‘The Man Within’ in 1929 to favorable reviews, which led him to quit his job the next year to concentrate on his writing fully.
In 1930, he published ‘The Name of Action’ and the ‘Rumour at Nightfall’, a couple of years later, both of which did not do well.
His novel ‘Stamboul Train’, published in 1932 was his breakthrough novel, which was later adapted into a film.
His next popular novel was ‘A Gun For Sale’ published in 1936 and was filmed no less than five times under several titles.
One of his best novels, ‘Brighton Rock’ was published in 1938 and was later adapted into films.
He wrote and published ‘The Ministry of Fear’ in 1943, a thriller, which he categorized as entertainment.
In 1951, he published ‘The End of the Affair’, a Catholic novel, based on a love affair.
He wrote his first play ‘The Living Room’, in 1953, in an attempt to write in other genres in literature.
His last work in the genre of entertainment was ‘Our Man in Havana’ published in 1958, after which he stopped categorizing his works as novels and entertainments.
He published ‘The Honorary Consul’, in 1973, a thriller novel, which is one of his most favorite works.
His espionage novel, ‘The Human Factor’ was published in 1978 which was made into a film, a year later.
He published ‘Monsignor Quixote’, which is a pastiche of the great Spanish novel, Don Quixote in 1982, for which he received great critical acclaim. Three years later the novel was adapted into a TV film.
He published ‘The Last Word’, a short story in 1990, which was first published in ‘The Independent’.
Major Works
‘Brighton Rock’, a murder thriller, by Greene is considered one of his best novels and was adapted for two films, one play, one radio dramatization and a musical.
‘The Power and the Glory’ published in 1940, was made into the film ‘The Fugitive’ in 1947. Though the book was slightly controversial as it seemed to “offend some Catholics”, it is considered Greene’s magnum opus by many.
Greene’s ‘The Heart of the Matter’ was a huge success and was listed in the ‘100 best English-language novels of the 20th century’ by the Modern Library, an American publishing company, in 1998.
Awards & Achievements
For the movie ‘The Fallen Idol’, based on his short story ‘The Basement Room’, Greene was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay in 1948.
In 1961, he was a runner up for the Nobel Prize in Literature, which was won by Yugoslav novelist, Ivo Andrić.
He was a recipient of the Jerusalem Prize in 1981, which is given to writers who write about individual freedom.
Personal Life & Legacy
Greene converted to Catholicism in 1926, before getting married to Vivien Dayrell-Browning, the next year.
They couple had two children Lucy, born in 1933 and Francis, born in 1936.
After his divorce in 1948, he never married again; however, he got involved in a relationship with Lady Catherine Walston, the wife of a famous British politician.
He died aged 86, after battling with leukemia and was interred in Corseaux cemetery, Switzerland.
For his contribution to literature a Graham Greene International Festival is held every year in Berkhamsted, his hometown. It is a four-day event which promotes the author’s works through several conferences and workshops etc.
Trivia
This famous writer from Britain converted to Catholicism in 1926, after being influenced by his future wife.
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Henry Graham Greene's awards
| Year | Name | Award |
|---|---|---|
Other | ||
| 0 | 1981 - Jerusalem Prize | |
| 0 | Dos Passos Prize | |
| 0 | Edgar Grand Master Award | |
Henry Graham Greene biography timelines
- // 2nd Oct 1904Greene was born in St. John’s House, the boarding house of school, where his parents lived and his father was the school’s housemaster. His family was the descendant of the wealthy and influential owners of the Greene King brewery.
- // 1910He attended the St. John’s House in 1910, where his father was appointed the headmaster. As a student he was quiet and reserved, which made him vulnerable to bullies.
- // 1920Severely depressed, he tried to commit suicide a number of times, for which in 1920, at the age of 16, he was sent to London to be treated through psychoanalysis.
- // 1922Six months later, he returned to school and in 1922, and for a brief period he was a part of the Communist Party of Great Britain.
- // 1925‘Babbling April’, his first set of poems was published in 1925, while he was at the Balliol College, Oxford, from where he graduated with a second-class degree in history.
- // 1926At first he worked with the ‘Nottingham Journal’, before taking up the job of a copy editor with ‘The Times’ in 1926.
- // 1926Greene converted to Catholicism in 1926, before getting married to Vivien Dayrell-Browning, the next year.
- // 1929He published his first novel ‘The Man Within’ in 1929 to favorable reviews, which led him to quit his job the next year to concentrate on his writing fully.
- // 1930In 1930, he published ‘The Name of Action’ and the ‘Rumour at Nightfall’, a couple of years later, both of which did not do well.
- // 1932His novel ‘Stamboul Train’, published in 1932 was his breakthrough novel, which was later adapted into a film.
- // 1933 To 1936They couple had two children Lucy, born in 1933 and Francis, born in 1936.
- // 1936His next popular novel was ‘A Gun For Sale’ published in 1936 and was filmed no less than five times under several titles.
- // 1938One of his best novels, ‘Brighton Rock’ was published in 1938 and was later adapted into films.
- // 1940 To 1947‘The Power and the Glory’ published in 1940, was made into the film ‘The Fugitive’ in 1947. Though the book was slightly controversial as it seemed to “offend some Catholics”, it is considered Greene’s magnum opus by many.
- // 1943He wrote and published ‘The Ministry of Fear’ in 1943, a thriller, which he categorized as entertainment.
- // 1948For the movie ‘The Fallen Idol’, based on his short story ‘The Basement Room’, Greene was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay in 1948.
- // 1948After his divorce in 1948, he never married again; however, he got involved in a relationship with Lady Catherine Walston, the wife of a famous British politician.
- // 1951In 1951, he published ‘The End of the Affair’, a Catholic novel, based on a love affair.
- // 1953He wrote his first play ‘The Living Room’, in 1953, in an attempt to write in other genres in literature.
- // 1958His last work in the genre of entertainment was ‘Our Man in Havana’ published in 1958, after which he stopped categorizing his works as novels and entertainments.
- // 1961In 1961, he was a runner up for the Nobel Prize in Literature, which was won by Yugoslav novelist, Ivo Andrić.
- // 1973He published ‘The Honorary Consul’, in 1973, a thriller novel, which is one of his most favorite works.
- // 1978His espionage novel, ‘The Human Factor’ was published in 1978 which was made into a film, a year later.
- // 1981He was a recipient of the Jerusalem Prize in 1981, which is given to writers who write about individual freedom.
- // 1982He published ‘Monsignor Quixote’, which is a pastiche of the great Spanish novel, Don Quixote in 1982, for which he received great critical acclaim. Three years later the novel was adapted into a TV film.
- // 1990He published ‘The Last Word’, a short story in 1990, which was first published in ‘The Independent’.
- // 3rd Apr 1991He died aged 86, after battling with leukemia and was interred in Corseaux cemetery, Switzerland.
- // 1998Greene’s ‘The Heart of the Matter’ was a huge success and was listed in the ‘100 best English-language novels of the 20th century’ by the Modern Library, an American publishing company, in 1998.
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Henry Graham Greene's FAQ
What is Henry Graham Greene birthday?
Henry Graham Greene was born at 1904-10-02
When was Henry Graham Greene died?
Henry Graham Greene was died at 1991-04-03
Where was Henry Graham Greene died?
Henry Graham Greene was died in Corseaux
Which age was Henry Graham Greene died?
Henry Graham Greene was died at age 86
Where is Henry Graham Greene's birth place?
Henry Graham Greene was born in Berkhamste
What is Henry Graham Greene nationalities?
Henry Graham Greene's nationalities is British
Who is Henry Graham Greene spouses?
Henry Graham Greene's spouses is Vivien
Who is Henry Graham Greene siblings?
Henry Graham Greene's siblings is Elisabeth, Hugh, Raymond
Who is Henry Graham Greene childrens?
Henry Graham Greene's childrens is Francis Hugh Greene, Lucy Greene
What was Henry Graham Greene universities?
Henry Graham Greene studied at Oxford University, Balliol College, University of Oxford, Berkhamsted School
What was Henry Graham Greene notable alumnis?
Henry Graham Greene's notable alumnis is Oxford University
What is Henry Graham Greene's religion?
Henry Graham Greene's religion is Roman Catholic
Who is Henry Graham Greene's father?
Henry Graham Greene's father is Charles Henry Greene
Who is Henry Graham Greene's mother?
Henry Graham Greene's mother is Marion Raymond Greene
What is Henry Graham Greene's sun sign?
Henry Graham Greene is Libra
How famous is Henry Graham Greene?
Henry Graham Greene is famouse as Novelist