Painting of Aldous Huxley

Timeline

Lifetime: 1894 - 1963 Passed: ≈ 60 years ago

Title

Writer, philosopher

Country/Nationality

England
Wikipedia

Aldous Huxley

Huxley was born in Godalming, Surrey, England, in 1894. He was the third son of the writer and schoolmaster Leonard Huxley, who edited Cornhill Magazine. As a child, Huxley's nickname was "Ogie", short for "Ogre". He was described by his brother, Julian, as someone who frequently "[contemplated] the strangeness of things". According to his cousin and contemporary, Gervas Huxley, he had an early interest in drawing.

Huxley completed his first (unpublished) novel at the age of 17 and began writing seriously in his early twenties, establishing himself as a successful writer and social satirist.

In 1937 Huxley moved to Hollywood with his wife Maria, son Matthew Huxley, and friend Gerald Heard. He lived in the U.S., mainly in southern California, until his death, and also for a time in Taos, New Mexico, where he wrote Ends and Means (published in 1937). The book contains tracts on war, religion, nationalism and ethics.

On his deathbed, unable to speak owing to advanced laryngeal cancer, Huxley made a written request to his wife Laura for "LSD, 100 µg, intramuscular." According to her account of his death in This Timeless Moment, she obliged with an injection at 11:20 a.m. and a second dose an hour later; Huxley died aged 69, at 5:20 p.m. (Los Angeles time), on 22 November 1963.

Books by Aldous Huxley

Crome Yellow Cover image

Crome Yellow

Fiction Novel
Love Spirit Social Satire Dystopia

Fascinating and brilliant at many levels, Huxley’s spoof of Lady Ottoline Morrell’s famous bohemian gatherings is difficult to categorize. The ironic tone and caricaturish rendering of some characters makes it partly entertaining satire, but intertwi...

Brave New World Cover image

Brave New World

Fiction Dystopian Science Fiction
Free Will Future Dystopia Totalitarianism Freedom Political Corruption Silence

Brave New World is a dystopian futuristic World State. Intelligence based class that are genetically modified citizens. The novel anticipates huge scientific advancements in reproductive technology, sleep-learning, psychological manipulation and clas...

Leda Cover image

Leda

Poetry
Love Beauty Idealism Poems Life

It begins with the passionate and slightly erotic poem "Leda", which recalls the love affair between Queen Leda, the mother of Helen of Troy, and her swan, Zeus in disguise. Some short poems follow. The book ends with two long sections. The first, "B...

Antic Hay Cover image

Antic Hay

Fiction Novel
Love Historical Fiction Humorous Fiction Hope Beliefs Literary Fiction

The first great novel of Huxley dealing with the disenchantment of affluent Britain with all kinds of belief systems leading to utter wastefulness and decadence. Huxley carefully dissects the idle pursuits that consume the rich and the famous, their...

Mortal Coils Cover image

Mortal Coils

Novel
Short Story Theology Reflection Philosophical Humorous Fiction Observation Relationships Experiences

It explore the complexities of human relationships and the intricacies of the human psyche. Originally published in 1922, this book remains a classic of English literature, showcasing Huxley's incredible talent for storytelling and his ability to cap...

Wheels - The Sixth Cycle Cover image

Wheels - The Sixth Cycle

Poetry
Dream Poems Journey Conflict Anthologies Verses Sonnets Songs Existence

In "Wheels - The Sixth Cycle," Aldous Huxley weaves a mesmerizing tale of enigmatic realms and transcendental journeys. Unfolding within the boundless corridors of the mind, this poetic masterpiece takes readers on a voyage through the sixth cycle of...

Wheels - The Fifth Cycle Cover image

Wheels - The Fifth Cycle

Poetry
Sonnet Love Imagery Politics Anthology Poems Loss Music Songs

In the early 20th century, a group of young poets gather in London to challenge the status quo and create a new kind of poetry. Wheels - The Fifth Cycle is an anthology of poems by Aldous Huxley, Alan Porter, Leah McTavish Cohen, Geoffrey Cookson, W...