Frank Harris, (February 14, 1856 to August 27, 1931) was born in Ireland, became an American citizen, and a successful editor in England. One of his better known works is a biography of Wilde, Oscar Wilde: His Life and Confessions, (1916) based on his friendship with Wilde. He includes what may well be an exact quote (it is portrayed as such) of Wilde justifying his homosexuality. Asked how he could prefer young men to women, Wilde finally just says, in response to Harris's incomprehension: "There it is, Frank, some of us hate 'cats.' I can give reasons for my dislike, which to me are conclusive." Whether Harris knew it or not, that about covers it.
Harris spent his last years in poverty. His autobiography, My Life and Loves (four volumes, 1922–1927) attracted censorship attention, and so was not the income producer he had hoped. And one assumes the following line from one of his last stories, "The Tom Cat: An Apologue," (1928.) is autobiographical; he speaks of "...a certain pathos in the gray cat's defeat; for then he knew by experience that age has to expect humiliation and defeat."
Harris spent his last years in poverty. His autobiography, My Life and Loves (four volumes, 1922–1927) attracted censorship attention, and so was not the income producer he had hoped. And one assumes the following line from one of his last stories, "The Tom Cat: An Apologue," (1928.) is autobiographical; he speaks of "...a certain pathos in the gray cat's defeat; for then he knew by experience that age has to expect humiliation and defeat."
He died in France.
No comments:
Post a Comment