Burgess, Anthony, 1917-1993

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Anthony Burgess, adaptor, playwright and composer. James Joyce, author of original source material.

From the description of Blooms of Dublin: typescript, 1982. (New York Public Library). WorldCat record id: 86164196

Anthony Burgess, British writer, playwright, and critic.

From the description of Letter by Anthony Burgess to Howard Owens, Dec. 10, 1987. (Huntington Library, Art Collections & Botanical Gardens). WorldCat record id: 122545810

English author.

From the description of Anthony Burgess Papers, 1956-1997. (Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center (HRC); University of Texas at Austin). WorldCat record id: 122365906

Anthony Burgess (John Anthony Burgess Wilson) was born February 25, 1917, and died November 25, 1993 . Burgess wrote widely, including textbooks, essays, scripts for stage television and film, essays, and other material. He is best know for the novel A Clockwork Orange, but also is highly regarded for his other work. Critics judge him as one of the most prolific and important writers of the twentieth century.

From the guide to the Inventory of the Anthony Burgess Collection (John Anthony Burgess Wilson): SCI FI MSS 00181., ca. 1979, (Cushing Memorial Library)

Anthony Burgess was born John Anthony Burgess Wilson on February 25, 1917, in Manchester, England. His mother and young sister died of influenza in 1919, leaving Burgess to a blue collar upbringing by his father--a cashier and piano player--an aunt, and later a stepmother. As a child, Burgess was made keenly aware of his Irish Catholic heritage and his education at the parochial Xaverian College instilled an interest in theological themes of good and evil, free will, and social authority which appeared in much of his writing years later.

Burgess entered Manchester University in 1936 with the intention of studying music. Poor grades in physics blocked his acceptance into the Music Department, so he chose instead to focus on composition and language in Manchester's English Department. After graduating with a bachelor's degree in 1940, he entered the Royal Army Medical Corps, later transferring to the Education Corps. In 1942 he married Llewela Isherwood Jones, whom he first met when both were students at Manchester.

Burgess remained in the Army until 1946, serving in Gibraltar. After the war, he held teaching positions with Birmingham University, the Ministry of Education, and Banbury Grammar School. In 1954 he accepted a position with the Colonial Office teaching in Malaya and later Brunei.

While in Malaya, Burgess published his first novels, Time for a Tiger, The Enemy in the Blanket, and Beds in the East, using the pseudonym Anthony Burgess to avoid any repercussions from the Colonial Office. These works were republished as the compilation The Long Day Wanes: A Malayan Trilogy (Norton, 1965) and again as Malayan Trilogy (Penguin, 1972).

In 1959 Burgess was sent back to England and released from the Colonial Office after being diagnosed with terminal cancer. Troubled by the thought of leaving his wife without income, he wrote five novels in the next year and a total of eleven by 1964. These include The Doctor Is Sick, The Wanting Seed, A Clockwork Orange, Honey for the Bears, and Nothing Like the Sun. He also produced two works, One Hand Clapping and Inside Mr. Enderby, under the pseudonym Joseph Kell.

During the following years, Burgess continued to prove his doctors' prognoses wrong and claimed to write 2,000 words of fair copy per day. He supplemented the income from his novels with literary reviews and essays for numerous newspapers and magazines. He also produced non-fiction books on English literature, linguistics, and the works of James Joyce, D.H. Lawrence, and William Shakespeare.

In 1968 Llewela died after years of poor health. Later that year Burgess discovered he had a four-year-old son by Liana Macellari, who he soon married. The three moved to Malta to avoid high British income taxes, and later to Italy and then Monaco. From 1969 to 1973 Burgess held a series of visiting instructor positions at the University of North Carolina, Columbia, Princeton, and City College in New York.

By 1970 Burgess was well known in Britain and Europe for his satirical style and linguistic inventiveness. In 1971 his notoriety grew in America with the release of the movie version of A Clockwork Orange. He continued to write throughout the next two decades, publishing over 30 novels including MF (1971), Napoleon Symphony (1974), Beard's Roman Women (1976), Earthly Powers (1980), The End of the World News (1983), The Kingdom of the Wicked (1985), and Any Old Iron (1989). He also edited literature text books, produced several translations, wrote screenplays for film and television, and continued with his first love, music composition. Over the course of his life, Burgess wrote pieces ranging from small chamber works to symphonies, primarily as a means of relaxation and amusement.

By the early 1990s Burgess had written more than 60 books, over 150 musical compositions, and continued to publish articles and reviews worldwide. He died in 1993 at age 76, thirty-four years after receiving his one-year terminal diagnosis.

From the guide to the Anthony Burgess Papers TXRC00-A18., 1956-1997 (bulk 1970s-1980s), (Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center, University of Texas at Austin)

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
creatorOf Anthony Burgess Papers TXRC00-A18., 1956-1997 (bulk 1970s-1980s) Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center
creatorOf Stratford Festival Collection (University of Guelph). Cyrano de Bergerac / by Edmond Rostand ; translated and adapted by Anthony Burgess ; directed by Donna Feore ; designed by Santo Loquasto, 2009 - house program. University of Guelph. McLaughlin Library
creatorOf Shaw Festival Collection (University of Guelph). Cyrano de Bergerac / by Edmond Rostand, translated and adapted by Anthony Burgess ; directed by Derek Goldby ; technical drawings by Cameron Porteous, 1983. University of Guelph. McLaughlin Library
creatorOf Shaw Festival Collection (University of Guelph). Cyrano De Bergerac / by Edmond Rostand ; adapted by Anthony Burgess ; directed by Derek Goldby, 1984-85 - performance file. University of Guelph. McLaughlin Library
creatorOf Burgess, Anthony, 1917-1993. Letter to Ernest P. Kuhl. [s.l.]. [19--] University of Iowa Libraries
creatorOf Burgess, Anthony, 1917-1993. Blooms of Dublin: typescript, 1982. New York Public Library System, NYPL
creatorOf Burgess, Anthony, 1917-1993. Anthony Burgess letter, 1969. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
creatorOf Canadian Stage Theatre Archives (University of Guelph). Cyrano de Bergerac / by Edmond Rostand ; adapted by Anthony Burgess, 1971 - script. University of Guelph. McLaughlin Library
creatorOf Shaw Festival Collection (University of Guelph). Cyrano De Bergerac / by Edmond Rostand ; adapted and translated by Anthony Burgess ; directed by Derek Goldby with David Hemblen, 1984-1985 - house program. University of Guelph. McLaughlin Library
referencedIn Louis Decimus Rubin papers University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
creatorOf Howard, Elizabeth Jane. Papers of Elizabeth Jane Howard, 1933-2009. Huntington Library, Art Collections & Botanical Gardens
creatorOf Erskine, Albert, 1911-1993. Albert Erskine papers, 1930-1999. University of Virginia. Library
creatorOf Shaw Festival Collection (University of Guelph). Cyrano De Bergerac / by Edmond Rostand ; adapted & tranlated by Anthony Burgess ; directed by Derek Goldby ; technical drawings by Cameron Porteous, 1982. University of Guelph. McLaughlin Library
referencedIn Robin Dalton Correspondence, 1960-2006, undated (bulk 1968-1979) Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center
creatorOf Stratford Festival Collection. Cyrano de Bergerac / by Edmond Rostand ; translated and adapted by Anthony Burgess ; directed by Derek Goldby, 1994 - house program. University of Guelph. McLaughlin Library
creatorOf Burgess, Anthony, 1917-1993. In time of plague / : [words by] Thomas Nashe ; [music by] Anthony Burgess. SUNY at Buffalo, University at Buffalo
creatorOf Shaw Festival Collection (University of Guelph). Cyrano de Bergerac / by Edmond Rostand ; adapted by Anthony Burgess ; directed by Derek Goldby, 1984-85, performance files. University of Guelph. McLaughlin Library
creatorOf Burgess, Anthony, 1917-1993. Letter by Anthony Burgess to Howard Owens, Dec. 10, 1987. Huntington Library, Art Collections & Botanical Gardens
creatorOf Anthony Burgess fonds. McMaster University
creatorOf Brooke-Rose, Christine, 1923-. Papers, 1893-1992 (bulk 1957-1992). Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center
referencedIn University of Wisconsin--Milwaukee. Center for 21st Century Studies. UW-Milwaukee Center for 21st Century Studies records, 1968-2003. University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee, UWM Libraries
creatorOf Burgess, Anthony, 1917-1993. TMS (Telegram), 1974 July 24 : Piazza Padella, Bracciano (Roma), Italy, to Mrs. Fischer. Copley Press, J S Copley Library
creatorOf Inventory of the Anthony Burgess Collection (John Anthony Burgess Wilson): SCI FI MSS 00181., ca. 1979 Cushing Memorial Library,
creatorOf Burgess, Anthony, 1917-1993. Symphony, by Anthony Burgess. University of Iowa Libraries
creatorOf Joyce, James, 1882-1941. James Joyce 1882-1941 silence, exile and cunning [moving images] / a film written by Anthony Burgess. McMaster University
creatorOf Shaw Festival Collection (University of Guelph). Cyrano De Bergerac / by Edmond Rostand ; translated and adapted by Anthony Burgess ; directed by Derek Goldby, 1982 - house program. University of Guelph. McLaughlin Library
referencedIn Rich, Adrienne Cecile. Papers, 1927-1999 (inclusive). Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America‏
creatorOf Burgess, Anthony, 1917-1993. Anthony Burgess Papers, 1956-1997. Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center
referencedIn English literature mss. Lilly Library (Indiana University, Bloomington)
referencedIn Audio and video tape collection, 1957-1986 Sarah Lawrence College. Archives.
referencedIn Haydn, Hiram Collins, 1907-1973,. Creative writing questionnaires for writing class at University of Pennsylvania, 1970-1972. Stanford University. Department of Special Collections and University Archives
referencedIn Bradbury, M. mss. II, 1949-1993 Lilly Library (Indiana University, Bloomington)
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
associatedWith Aggeler, Geoff, 1939- person
associatedWith Aggeler, Geoffrey, 1939- person
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associatedWith Birkett, Michael, Baron, 1929- person
associatedWith Bottrall, Ronald, 1906- person
associatedWith Bradbury, Malcolm, 1932-2000 person
associatedWith British Broadcasting Corporation corporateBody
associatedWith British Council corporateBody
associatedWith Bromberg's (Firm) corporateBody
associatedWith Brooke-Rose, Christine, 1923-. person
associatedWith Bryant, Arthur, 1899-1985. person
associatedWith Burgess, Anthony person
associatedWith Burroughs, William S., 1914- person
associatedWith Canadian Stage Theatre Archives (University of Guelph) corporateBody
associatedWith Caroline, Princess of Monaco, 1957- person
associatedWith Century Hutchinson Publishing Group, Ltd. corporateBody
associatedWith City University of New York. City College corporateBody
associatedWith Dalton, Robin, 1920- person
associatedWith Deborah Rogers, Ltd. corporateBody
associatedWith Deborah Rogers, Ltd. corporateBody
associatedWith Erskine, Albert, 1911-1993. person
associatedWith Greene, Graham, 1904- person
associatedWith Greene, Graham, 1904-1991. person
associatedWith Hayakawa Publishing corporateBody
associatedWith Hayakawa Publishing. corporateBody
associatedWith Haydn, Hiram Collins, 1907-1973, person
associatedWith Heinemann (Firm) corporateBody
associatedWith Howard, Elizabeth Jane. person
associatedWith Hutchinson Publishing Group, Ltd. corporateBody
associatedWith Independent. corporateBody
associatedWith Joannon, Pierre person
associatedWith Joannon, Pierre. person
associatedWith Jong, Erica person
associatedWith Jong, Erica. person
associatedWith Joyce, James, 1882-1941 person
associatedWith Kollek, Teddy, 1911- person
associatedWith Kubrick, Stanley person
associatedWith Kubrick, Stanley. person
associatedWith Kuhl, E. P., d. 1981, person
associatedWith Labella, Vincenzo person
associatedWith Labella, Vincenzo. person
associatedWith Lasky, Melvin J. person
associatedWith Laurence Pollinger, Ltd. corporateBody
associatedWith Laurence Pollinger, Ltd. corporateBody
associatedWith Liepman (Firm) corporateBody
associatedWith Liepman (Firm) corporateBody
associatedWith Little, Brown and Company corporateBody
associatedWith Longman (Firm) corporateBody
associatedWith Lysandra Films corporateBody
associatedWith Menuhin, Yehudi, 1916- person
associatedWith Menuhin, Yehudi, 1916-1999 person
associatedWith Nash, Thomas, 1567-1601 person
associatedWith New York Times. corporateBody
associatedWith Observer, London. corporateBody
associatedWith Owens, Howard, person
associatedWith Penguin Books, Ltd. corporateBody
associatedWith PEN (Organization) corporateBody
associatedWith Phillips, Nizer, Benjamin, Krim & Ballon corporateBody
associatedWith Rich, Adrienne Cecile. person
associatedWith Rizzoli Editore corporateBody
associatedWith Royal Shakespeare Company corporateBody
associatedWith Rubin, Louis Decimus, 1923- person
associatedWith Rudiakov, Michael, 1934- person
associatedWith Sarah Lawrence College. Archives. corporateBody
associatedWith Shaw Festival Collection (University of Guelph) corporateBody
associatedWith Shaw Festival Collection (University of Guelph) corporateBody
associatedWith Shaw Festival Collection (University of Guelph) corporateBody
associatedWith Shaw Festival Collection (University of Guelph) corporateBody
associatedWith Shaw Festival Collection (University of Guelph) corporateBody
associatedWith Shaw Festival Collection (University of Guelph) corporateBody
associatedWith Snow, C. P. (Charles Percy), 1905- person
associatedWith Snow, C. P. (Charles Percy), 1905-1980. person
associatedWith Snowdon, Anthony Armstrong-Jones, Earl of, 1930- person
associatedWith Stratford Festival Collection. corporateBody
associatedWith Stratford Festival Collection (University of Guelph) corporateBody
associatedWith Sunday Times. corporateBody
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associatedWith The New York Times corporateBody
associatedWith The Observer, London corporateBody
associatedWith The Sunday Times corporateBody
associatedWith University of Notre Dame. Sophomore Literary Festival corporateBody
associatedWith University of Wisconsin--Milwaukee. Center for 21st Century Studies. corporateBody
associatedWith Waugh, Auberon person
associatedWith Waugh, Auberon. person
associatedWith Wouk, Herman, 1915- person
associatedWith W.W. Norton & Company corporateBody
associatedWith York, Michael person
associatedWith York, Michael, 1942- person
Place Name Admin Code Country
England
Ireland
Subject
Authors, English
Authors, English
Authors, English
Choruses, Secular (Mixed voices (4 parts)), Unaccompanied
Music
Music
Music
Radio plays
Symphonies
Occupation
Activity

Person

Birth 1917-02-25

Death 1993-11-22

Male

Britons

English,

Italian,

French,

Swedish,

German,

Polish

Information

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