01670nam a2200241u  4500001000800000003000800008005001700016007000300033008004100036010001300077020001500090040002300105050002600128082001700154100002400171245004200195260004400237300005700281504005100338520093400389600005801323650004701381864974 MeVbMML20250708134004.0ta061012b        ||||||||||||||||||||eng|u  a79021905  a0671240773  aDLCcDLCdDLCdAJM00aPR6025.A86bZ765 198000a823/.9/12aB1 aMorgan, Ted,d1932-10aMaugham :cTed Morgan.ba biography /  aNew York :bSimon and Schuster,cc1980.  axxi, 711 p., [24] leaves of plates :bill. ;c24 cm.  aIncludes bibliographical references and index.  aAt last there is a definitive biography of W. Somerset Maugham, one of the most remarkable and secretive literary figures of the twentieth century. Ted Morgan has penetrated the barriers which for years prevented the creation of a full portrait of this paradoxical writer - barriers set up by Maugham himself, who asked friends to destroy his correspondence, and who instructed his literary executor not to assist any eventual biographers. Unlike most nineteenth century authors, Maugham took up writing as a full-time occupation. It made him a millionaire and filled his life with luxury and adventure. But behind his facade of success and excitement Maugham was an emotional cripple who could not come to terms with his own homosexuality. He married, in an Edwardian attempt to keep up appearances, yet carried on a 30 year love affair with Gerald Haxton. He died a lonely and embittered figure, alienated even from his family.10aMaugham, W. Somersetq(William Somerset),d1874-1965. 0aAuthors, Englishy20th centuryxBiography.