Gerhardie, William Alexander, 1895-1977

William Alexander Gerhardie (1895-1977), novelist and critic, was born in St Petersburg, Russia, on 21 November 1895, where he attended the St Annen Schule and Reformierte Schule. He moved to London, with the intention of training for a commercial career, but joined the Royal Scots Greys at the outbreak of the First World War. He was posted to the British embassy in Petrograd, 1916-1918, and in 1918 was attached to the Scots Guards. After the war, Gerhardie travelled the world before attending Worcester College, Oxford, where he obtained a B.A. in Russian in 1922. His first two novels, Futility (1922) and The polyglots (1925), were well received, and he became a prolific writer of novels and short stories. Gerhardie travelled widely before settling in London in 1931, where he remained for the rest of his life. During the Second World War, he worked for the B.B.C. He published his last novel in 1940, and thereafter lived in increasing obscurity, involving himself in a l ittle broadcasting and essay-writing. He was made a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature in 1975. He died in London on 15 July 1977.

From the guide to the William Gerhardie: Correspondence and literary papers, 20th century, (Cambridge University Library, Department of Manuscripts and University Archives)

Russian-born English novelist.

From the description of Autograph letter signed : London, to Margaret [Haley], 1967 Feb. 15. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 270870862

English author.

From the description of Typewritten letter signed : [London], to Kenneth L. Dickman, 1931 Sept. 15. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 269600655

Epithet: novelist and playwright

British Library Archives and Manuscripts Catalogue : Person : Description : ark:/81055/vdc_100000001186.0x00038c

William Alexander Gerhardie was born of English parents in St. Petersburg, Russia, and educated there and at Oxford. He served in World War I, became military attache to the British Embassy at Petrograd, and went with the British Military Mission to Siberia, 1918-1920. His novels include Futility: a Novel on Russian Themes (1922); The Polyglots (1925); and Resurrection (1934), an autobiographical novel that argues for the immortality fo the soul. His critical writings include Anton Chekhov (1923); Memoirs of a Polyglot (1931); and The Romanoffs (1940), substantially a history of Russia.

From the description of William Alexander Gerhardie papers, 1925-1972 [manuscript]. WorldCat record id: 32527581

From the guide to the William Alexander Gerhardie Papers, 1925-1972, (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Library. Rare Book Literary and Historical Papers.)

William Alexander Gerhardie (1895-1977), novelist and critic, was born in St Petersburg, Russia, on 21 November 1895, where he attended the St Annen Schule and Reformierte Schule. He moved to London, planning to train for a commercial career, but at the outbreak of World War I joined the Royal Scots Greys. He was posted to the British embassy in Petrograd, 1916-1918, and in 1918 was attached to the Scots Guards.

After the war Gerhardie travelled the world, before attending Worcester College, Oxford, where he obtained a B.A. in Russian in 1922. His first two novels, Futility (1922) and The polyglots (1925), were well received, and he became a prolific writer of novels and short stories. Gerhardie travelled widely, before settling in London in 1931, where he remained for the rest of his life. During World War II he worked for the B.B.C. He published his last novel in 1940, and thereafter lived in increasing obscurity, involving himself in a little broadcasting and essay-writing. He was made a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature in 1975. Gerhardie died in London on 15 July 1977.

From the guide to the William Gerhardie: Letters to Margaret Penn, 1941-1977, (Cambridge University Library, Department of Manuscripts and University Archives)