W W Baggally

William Somerset Maugham, born in Paris in 1874, was an English writer celebrated for his numerous plays, novels, and short stories. After spending his early years in France and receiving his education in England and Germany, he pursued medical studies in London, qualifying as a physician in 1897. Despite never practicing medicine, Maugham dedicated himself to writing full-time. His early novel, Liza of Lambeth, gained attention, but he first achieved widespread fame as a playwright, with four plays running concurrently in London's West End by 1908. He later shifted his focus entirely to novels and short stories after 1933.

Maugham's literary output includes significant novels such as Of Human Bondage, The Moon and Sixpence, and The Painted Veil. His short stories also garnered critical acclaim and numerous adaptations for various media. While his immense popularity sometimes led to criticism from highbrow reviewers, recent assessments often recognize the depth of works like Of Human Bondage. Maugham's writing is characterized by a clear prose style, though sometimes noted for its use of clichés. His life experiences, including his time in the British Secret Service during WWI and extensive travels, provided rich material for his fiction.

Born in Paris in 1874, William Somerset Maugham was the son of a prosperous solicitor. His mother died when he was eight, followed by his father's death shortly after, leading to Maugham being sent to live with an uncle in England. This transition marked a significant shift from his Parisian upbringing, introducing him to a more reserved English environment that contributed to his shyness and stammer. He attended school in England, where he felt like an outsider due to his background and speech impediment. Later, he studied at Heidelberg University in Germany, where he developed an interest in literature and philosophy and had his first romantic relationship. Maugham's early life experiences, marked by loss and a sense of alienation, profoundly influenced his worldview and later writings.

Maugham's career began with his first novel, Liza of Lambeth, published in 1897 after he qualified as a physician but chose to pursue writing instead. He initially found success as a playwright, achieving significant recognition by 1908. However, he eventually transitioned to focus primarily on novels and short stories. His prose is noted for its clarity and directness, though critics sometimes pointed to his reliance on conventional phrases. Despite facing some critical dismissal due to his widespread appeal, Maugham's works, including novels like Of Human Bondage and his numerous short stories, are now widely regarded for their literary merit and insightful portrayals of human nature and society.

Maugham's personal life was complex, marked by his primary attraction to men, though he did marry a woman, Syrie Wellcome, with whom he had a daughter. His long-term partner was Gerald Haxton, and their extensive travels to Asia and the South Seas provided significant inspiration and material for his fiction. He also worked for the British Secret Service during World War I, drawing on these experiences in his later stories. Maugham lived for many years in the French Riviera, maintaining a lavish lifestyle. Towards the end of his life, he was cared for by his secretary-companion, Alan Searle, after Haxton's death. Maugham's later years were affected by illness, and he passed away at the age of 91.

“I was in contact with what I most wanted, life in the raw”

“I saw how men died. I saw how they bore pain. I saw what hope looked like, fear and relief; I saw the dark lines that despair drew on a face.”

“it is impossible always to give the exact unexpurgated words of Liza and the other personages of the story; the reader is therefore entreated with his thoughts to piece out the necessary imperfections of the dialogue”

“I took to it as a duck takes to water.”