“One
of the most adventurous things left us is to go to bed. For no one can lay a
hand on our dreams.” – E. V. Lucas
Humorist, essayist, playwright,
biographer, publisher, poet, novelist, short story writer and editor, Lucas was
born on this date in 1868 and made his name both editing the works of writer
Charles Lamb and serving as major contributor to Britain’s humor magazine Punch.
Considered one of the greatest
humorists of his day, fellow writer Frank Swinnerton said of Lucas that, “(He)
had a great appetite for the curious, the human, and the ridiculous. If he were
offered a story, an incident or an absurdity, his mind instantly shaped it with
wit and form.”
Lucas had a long association with the publishing
house Methuen and Co., which published his edition of Lamb’s works, and from
1924 until his death in 1936 he served as the company’s chairman. His achievements there and as a writer earned
him honorary degrees from both St Andrews and Oxford.
“The
art of life is to show your hand,” Lucas said.
“There is no diplomacy like candor. You may lose by it now and then, but
it will be a loss well gained if you do. Nothing is so boring as having to keep
up a deception.”
Writer’s Moment with a friend at http://writersmoment.blogspot.com
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