Fun Facts Friday: Christopher Isherwood

Christopher Isherwood (26 August, 1904 – 4 January, 1986) was a novelist, playwright, screenwriter, and writer who was born in England, and lived in the United States. His novel inspired the play Cabaret.

Christopher Isherwood May 18, 1982 by Don Bachardy

Books by Christopher Isherwood*

Fun facts about Christopher Isherwood:

1. Christopher William Bradshaw Isherwood was born in Chesire, England. His father, Francis “Frank” Edward Bradshaw Isherwood was a professional soldier. His mother, Kathleen Bradshaw Isherwood came from a wealthy brewing family, and was cousin to novelist Graham Green.
2. The Isherwood family had many notables in their lineage, including John Bradshaw who signed the death warrant for King Charles I, and served as Lord President of the Council, making him the English President in today’s world, for two years.
3. At Repton prep school, Mr. Isherwood met future novelist Edward Upward. In 1925, he met poet W.H Auden, who introduced him to poet Stephen Spender. The foursome were considered to be the most exciting literary group in England, at the time.
4. In 1939 Christopher Isherwood and his best friend, W. H. Auden, arrived in New York City. Mr. Auden stayed in New York, but Mr. Isherwood took the bus to California, and settled in Los Angeles looking for work as a screenwriter.
5. In the 1940s, Mr. Isherwoold was introduced to Swami Prabhavananda, a Hindu monk by his friends, author Aldous Huxley and historian Gerald Heard. This led to a lifelong activity of studying Hindu philosophy, translating sacred texts, and practicing Yoga. Besides writing articles for the Vendanta Society’s newsletter, Mr. Isherwood’s short story The Wishing Tree is considered to this day a key to understanding the idea of karma.
6. Isherwood’s Berlin novels (1945), and especially Goodbye to Berlin inspired the musical Cabaret.
7. After World War II, when pulp novels became popularized, Christopher Isherwood wrote several successful ones. These novels were welcomed by the gay community, who wrote to him sending him poetry and novels. Giving feedback to readers became part of his routine.
8. In the 1970s, Mr. Isherwood and his partner, artist Don Bachardy were the most photographed gay couple in the world. The 30-year age difference between the two was a major scandal at the time.
9. The couple lived in the garden apartment of psychologist Evelyn Hooker, who asked them to leave due to the appearance of impropriety. Ms. Hooker led the research to remove homosexuality as a pathology from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). Since marriage was not an option, Mr. Isherwood adopted Mr. Bachardy so he could leave him his house and royalties.
10. Isherwood passed away in his home in California. His lifelong partner and successful artist, Don Bachardy’s portraits of the dying writer became very famous.

Books by Christopher Isherwood*

Zohar — Man of la Book
*Ama­zon links point to an affil­i­ate account, the money is usually spent on books