British writer, best known for his autobiographical 12-volume series of novels, “A Dance to the Music of Time,” 1951-75. One of the most highly regarded literary creations after World War II, this million-word masterpiece resulted in Powell being called the “English Proust.”
His father was an officer in the Welsh Regiment, so Powell’s childhood was spent moving from one place to another. From 1919-23, he attended Eton College, and from 1923-26, he studied at Balliol College in Oxford. After graduation, he went to work for the Duckworth Publishing House in London, and his first novel, “Afternoon Men,” was published in 1931. In 1936, he left the publishing business and became a journalist for the Daily Telegraph. After taking a job as a scriptwriter for Warner Brothers that same year, he spent a few months in Hollywood, California. His book, “What’s Become of Waring?,” was published in 1939, the same year he was commissioned into the Welsh Regiment at the onset of World War II. He went on to serve in the Intelligence Corps. In 1973, he was offered a knighthood but refused it. In 1988, he was appointed a Companion of Honour.
On 12/01/1934, he married Lady Violet Pakenham, third daughter of the 5th Earl of Longford. They had a son, Tristram.
Powell died on 3/28/2000 near Frome, Somerset, England.
Link to Wikipedia biography