Brian L. Lancaster

Brian Howard, born in 1905 to American parents, was an English poet and later a writer for The New Statesman. Educated at Eton and Christ Church, Oxford, he became a prominent figure among the 'Oxford Wits' and was part of exclusive clubs like the Hypocrites' Club. Howard was associated with the London 'Bright Young Things,' a fashionable bohemian set, and was known for his involvement in social circles that included notable literary figures.

His early work as a poet appeared in publications like The New Age and the Sitwell Wheels anthology, with his verse admired by Edith Sitwell. He also co-authored the 'Bruno Hat' art exhibition hoax in 1929. Throughout his life, Howard struggled with his homosexuality, heavy drinking, and drug use. He participated in the Dunkirk evacuation during World War II and worked briefly for MI5 before being dismissed and conscripted into the RAF. After the war, he lived in Europe with his partner, Sam Langford, contributing occasional articles and reviews.

Howard's later life was marked by declining health and personal difficulties, including expulsions from several European countries due to his lifestyle. He died by suicide in 1958, shortly after the death of Langford. Evelyn Waugh described Howard as a 'dazzling young man' who became 'dangerous' in later life, attributing his death partly to a 'broken heart'.

Brian Howard was a significant figure within the intellectual and social circles of early 20th-century England. His education at Eton College and Christ Church, Oxford, placed him among peers who would become prominent writers and artists, including Robert Byron, Harold Acton, and Evelyn Waugh. At Oxford, he was part of the 'Oxford Wits' and the exclusive Hypocrites' Club. Howard's association with the 'Bright Young Things,' a fashionable and bohemian group known for their social activities, further cemented his place in the literary landscape. He was a contemporary and acquaintance of figures like Nancy Mitford and Henry Yorke, and his life experiences are thought to have influenced characters in Evelyn Waugh's novels, such as Anthony Blanche in 'Brideshead Revisited'.

Howard began his literary career as a poet, with his work appearing in A. R. Orage's influential publication, The New Age, and the Sitwell family's 'Wheels' anthology. His verse was also included in 'Oxford Poetry 1924.' During this period, he utilized pseudonyms such as 'Jasper Proude' and 'Charles Orange.' The poet Edith Sitwell was an admirer and promoter of his work in the late 1920s. Despite this early promise and recognition, Howard published only one substantial poetry collection, 'God Save the King,' in 1930. His engagement with poetry during the Spanish Civil War was noted, though it's suggested he did not fully commit to it with deep seriousness.

The latter part of Brian Howard's life was characterized by significant personal challenges and a nomadic existence. He served during World War II, participating in the Dunkirk evacuation and working for MI5 before being dismissed and later discharged from the Royal Air Force. Following the war, he and his long-term partner, Sam Langford, lived itinerantly across Europe. Their lifestyle, marked by heavy drinking, drug use, and publicized indiscretions, led to their expulsion from several European countries. Howard's health deteriorated in the 1950s, and he died by suicide in 1958, following the natural death of Langford. His struggles with his identity and lifestyle were a recurring theme throughout his adult life.

“There is an aesthetic bugger who sometimes turns up in my novels under various names—that was 2/3 Brian [Howard] and 1/3 Harold Acton. People think it was all Harold, who is a much sweeter and saner man [than Howard].”

“Anybody over the age of 30 seen in a bus has been a failure in life”

“I used to know Brian Howard well—a dazzling young man to my innocent eyes. In later life he became very dangerous—constantly attacking people with his fists in public places—so I kept clear of him. He was consumptive but the immediate cause of his death was a broken heart.”