William Somerset Maugham, 1874-1965. British author

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French born and English raised, Maugham originally began his studies in medicine, but quickly abandoned such pursuit after the success of his first novels and plays in the late 1800’s, the most popular work of which was Liza of Lambeth (1897). His most famous work is his autobiographical novel, Of Human Bondage (1915), which is usually considered his outstanding achievement. Maugham worked as for the British Intelligence, originally assigned to work during the Russian Revolution. Shortly after resigning from this post, he began traveling in eastern Asia, and Mexico, travels which served as material for many of his novels during the 1920’s and 1930’s. His famous novel The Moon and Sixpence (1919) was loosely based on the life of the painter Paul Gaugin. Other memorable works include Razor’s Edge (1944) and the short story collection Ashenden; or The British Agent (1928), considered by many to the forerunner of the spy genre.

Clippings from newspapers hailing the 80th and 90th birthdays of W. Somerset Maugham; reviews of late essays and recounting personal incidents, including financial settlement with daughter, Lady John Hope, in dispute over nine impressionist paintings and report that the author wished all his personal correspondence destroyed at his death. Some dates indicated in ink in unidentified hand.

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