Alec Waugh facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Alec Waugh
Alec Waugh in 1931
Born	Alexander Raban Waugh 8 July 1898 London, England
Died	3 September 1981(1981-09-03) (aged 83) Tampa, Florida, U.S.
Resting place	St John-at-Hampstead
Education	Sherborne School
Spouse(s)	Barbara Jacobs ​ ​ (m. 1919; div. 1923)​ Joan Chirnside ​ ​ (m. 1932; died 1969)​ Virginia Sorenson ​ (m. 1969)​
Parent(s)	Arthur Waugh Catherine Charlotte Raban

Alexander Raban Waugh (born July 8, 1898 – died September 3, 1981) was a British writer. He was the older brother of the famous novelist Evelyn Waugh. His father, Arthur Waugh, was also a writer and publisher. Alec Waugh wrote many books throughout his life.

Life and Early Books

Growing Up and School Days

Alec Waugh was born in London, England. His parents were Arthur Waugh and Catherine Charlotte Raban. He went to Sherborne School, which is a type of private school in Dorset, England.

His experiences at school inspired his first novel, The Loom of Youth, published in 1917. This book was partly based on his own life. It talked about school life and caused a lot of discussion at the time. The book became a best-seller.

Serving in World War I

During the First World War, Waugh joined the British army. He fought in France in 1917. He was captured by German soldiers in March 1918. He spent the rest of the war in prisoner-of-war camps.

After the war, in 1919, he married his first wife, Barbara Annis Jacobs.

A Career as a Writer

Traveling and Writing

Alec Waugh became a successful author. He often lived in interesting places around the world, like Tangier. This was possible because his second wife, Joan Chirnside, was wealthy.

His books often explored themes of travel and different cultures. One of his most famous novels was Island in the Sun, published in 1955. This book became a best-seller.

Island in the Sun Film

Island in the Sun was made into a movie in 1957. Hollywood paid a large amount of money for the rights to his novel. This was a record amount at the time for a book. The movie's success also helped inspire the name for the famous Island Records music label, which is known for reggae music.

Other Interests and Later Life

Waugh was also very knowledgeable about wine. He wrote books about it, like In Praise of Wine & Certain Noble Spirits (1959).

In 1969, he married his third wife, Virginia Sorensen, who was also an author. They lived in Morocco for a while. Later, they moved to the United States as his health declined. Alec Waugh passed away in Florida in 1981 at the age of 83.

Works

Images for kids

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  Alec Waugh in 1931

See Also

• Evelyn Waugh
• Arthur Waugh (author)
• Island in the Sun (film)