Josephine Hart facts for kids
Josephine Hart, Baroness Saatchi (born March 1, 1942 – died June 2, 2011), was a talented writer, theater producer, and TV presenter from Ireland. She lived in London for most of her life. Lady Saatchi is famous for her novel Damage. This book was made into a movie in 1992, directed by Louis Malle and starring actors like Jeremy Irons and Juliette Binoche. More recently, it also inspired the Netflix show Obsession in 2023.
Early Life
Josephine Hart was born in Mullingar, County Westmeath, Ireland. She went to St. Louis convent school in Carrickmacross, County Monaghan. The nuns at her school encouraged her to recite poems at Irish festivals. In 1964, she moved to London to start her career.
Her Amazing Career
Josephine Hart had a very interesting career. She was a director at a company called Haymarket Publishing. She also helped start groups like Gallery Poets and West End Poetry Hour, which focused on poetry. Josephine produced several plays in London's famous West End. One of these plays, The House of Bernarda Alba by Federico García Lorca, even won an Evening Standard Award. She also appeared on television as the presenter for the Thames TV series Books by My Bedside. Her writings and other important papers are kept at a special archive at Boston University.
Books She Wrote
Josephine Hart wrote several popular books. Here are some of them:
- Damage, Vintage Books, 1991
- Sin, Vintage Books, 1992
- Oblivion, Vintage Books, 1995
- The Stillest Day, Chatto & Windus, 1998
- The Reconstructionist, Chatto & Windus, 2001
- Catching Life by the Throat: Poems from Eight Great Poets, W. W. Norton, 2008
- The Truth About Love, Virago, 2009
Family and Titles
Josephine Hart was married to Maurice Saatchi, a well-known businessman. They had one son together, Edward Saatchi. Maurice Saatchi was given a special title called a "peerage." Because of this, he became Baron Saatchi, and Josephine was then known as The Lady Saatchi. She also had another son, Adam Buckley, from a previous marriage.
Her Legacy
Even after her passing, Josephine Hart's love for poetry continues through the Josephine Hart Poetry Foundation. This organization is a registered charity in England. It helps keep interest in her poetry alive and supports new poets.
Passing Away
Lady Saatchi passed away on June 2, 2011, at the age of 69. She died from a type of cancer.
