Anthony Powell

Anthony Dymoke Powell was born on 21 December 1905 in Westminster, England, the child of Maud Wells-Dymoke and Philip Powell. He attended Gibb’s Pre-Prep Day School, and was sent to The New Beacon, a boarding school in Kent. In 1919, he took an entrance examination for Eton and passed. Powell had a difficult life at Eton, and recalled the old days as 'well–deserved obscurity' in 'the worst house in the school'. He spent most of his time in the studio, developing his interest in the visual arts and his talent as a draughtsman. Powell became a founding member of the Eton Society of Arts in 1922. For his final year, he took an examination and was graded ninh in the school. Powell went up to Balliol College, Oxford and upon his arrival was introduced to the Hypocrites Club, but did not enjoy their company. Instead, he became friends with Maurice Bowra.

Powell's first novel was 'Afternoon Men', published by Duckworth in 1931, for which he supervised its production. His second novel was 'Venusberg', also published by Duckworth in 1932. In 1934, his third novel, 'From a View to a Death', was published as well. Powell was a novelist best known for his remarkable work, 'A Dance to the Music of Time', which was published between 1951 and 1975. All of his literary work was favourably noted in London, selling two to three thousand copies. Powell was recognised as one of the greatest British novelists of the 20th century. He gained international fame, and his work remains today the subject of radio and TV dramatisations.