Doris Lessing (1919-2013) was a British-Zimbabwean novelist, poet, and playwright, renowned for her deeply insightful works on human psychology, social dynamics, and feminism. Her novel “The Golden Notebook” remains a cornerstone of modern literature.
Biography
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Doris May Lessing (née Tayler) |
| Date of Birth | 22 October 1919 |
| Date of Death | 17 November 2013 |
| Nationality | British |
| Place of Birth | Iran |
| Places Lived | Iran (until 1925), Southern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe, until 1949), London, England (from 1949) |
| Notable Works |
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| Awards |
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| Notable Recognition | Ranked fifth on The Times’ list of “The 50 greatest British writers since 1945” in 2008 |
| Nobel Prize Description | “That epicist of the female experience, who with scepticism, fire and visionary power has subjected a divided civilisation to scrutiny” |
| Age When Awarded Nobel Prize | 87 (oldest person to receive the Nobel Prize in Literature) |
Early Life
Doris Lessing, born Doris May Tayler on October 22, 1919, in Kermanshah, Persia (now Iran), was the daughter of British parents. Her father, who had lost a leg during World War I, worked as a clerk in a bank, while her mother was a nurse. In 1925, when Doris was just six years old, the family moved to Southern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) in search of better prospects. They settled on a farm, where Doris experienced a rather challenging and isolated childhood, which would later significantly influence her writing. Her early exposure to the racial and social dynamics of colonial Africa, coupled with the struggles of her family’s farming life, laid the groundwork for many themes in her literary works.
Family
| Relation | Name | Information |
|---|---|---|
| Father | Alfred Tayler | Alfred Tayler was a British Army officer who lost a leg during World War I. After the war, he moved to Persia (now Iran) where he met his future wife. |
| Mother | Emily Maude Tayler | Emily Maude Tayler, formerly McVeagh, was a nurse. She met Alfred Tayler while serving in the Queen Alexandra’s Army Nursing Service during World War I. |
| Sibling | Harry Tayler | Harry Tayler was Doris Lessing’s younger brother. Not much is widely known about him compared to Doris’s public life. |
Height, Weight, And Other Body Measurements
| Measurement | Value |
|---|---|
| Height | Unknown |
| Weight | Unknown |
| Body Measurements | Unknown |
Unfortunately, detailed information about Doris Lessing’s height, weight, and other body measurements is not widely documented or publicly available.
Wife/husband / Girlfriend/boyfriend
Doris Lessing, a renowned British-Zimbabwean novelist, passed away on November 17, 2013. Throughout her life, she had several significant relationships. Below is a detailed overview of her relationships.
As Doris Lessing passed away in 2013, she does not have a current relationship status.
| Partner Name | Relationship Type | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Frank Charles Wisdom | Husband | Doris Lessing married Frank Charles Wisdom in 1939. They had two children together, John and Jean, but the marriage ended in divorce in 1943. |
| Gottfried Lessing | Husband | In 1945, Doris married Gottfried Lessing, a German refugee. They had one son, Peter, but the marriage ended in divorce in 1949. Doris retained her second husband’s surname for her literary career. |
Frank Charles Wisdom
Doris Lessing’s first marriage was to Frank Charles Wisdom in 1939. They had two children together, John and Jean. However, the marriage was short-lived, and they divorced in 1943.
Gottfried Lessing
Doris Lessing married Gottfried Lessing in 1945. Gottfried was a German refugee, and they had one son, Peter. This marriage also ended in divorce in 1949. Doris decided to keep the Lessing surname for her literary works, which she became widely known by.
Career, Achievements And Controversies
Doris Lessing rose to prominence with her unique narrative style and her exploration of social and political themes. Her breakthrough came with the publication of her first novel, The Grass is Singing (1950), which was critically acclaimed and set the stage for her illustrious career. Lessing’s ability to delve into complex issues such as colonialism, feminism, and psychological realism garnered her widespread recognition.
Doris Lessing’s career began in earnest after World War II. She had lived in Southern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe), where she was exposed to the harsh realities of colonial rule, which greatly influenced her writing. Her debut novel, The Grass is Singing, explored the racial tensions in Southern Rhodesia and was an immediate success.
Lessing continued to build her literary reputation with the series Children of Violence, a five-novel sequence published between 1952 and 1969. However, it was The Golden Notebook (1962) that established her as a major literary figure. This work is considered a landmark in feminist literature and was praised for its innovative structure and profound insights into the female psyche.
Other notable works include The Summer Before the Dark (1973), The Good Terrorist (1985), and The Fifth Child (1988). Lessing’s writing often crossed genres, from science fiction in The Canopus in Argos: Archives series to memoir in Under My Skin (1994).
- Nobel Prize in Literature (2007) – Doris Lessing was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature for her ability to “convey the epic of the female experience.”
- David Cohen Prize (2001) – Recognized for a lifetime’s achievement in literature.
- Asturias Prize (2001) – Awarded for her significant contributions to world literature.
- Somerset Maugham Award (1954) – For her novel Five.
- Several honorary degrees from universities around the world.
Doris Lessing was no stranger to controversy. Her outspoken nature and fearless exploration of taboo subjects often put her at odds with various groups.
- Communist Sympathies: In her early years, Lessing was an active member of the Communist Party, which drew criticism during the Cold War era. She later distanced herself from communism, expressing disillusionment with its practices.
- Feminism: Despite being hailed as a feminist icon, Lessing often criticized certain aspects of the feminist movement. She believed it sometimes ignored the complexities of individual experiences in favor of a collective narrative.
- Political Views: Lessing’s political views, particularly her criticism of Western policies in the Middle East, sparked debates and sometimes alienated readers and critics.
- Personal Life: Her candidness about her personal life, including her marriages and relationships, sometimes drew public scrutiny and media attention.
Doris Lessing remains a towering figure in the literary world, celebrated for her profound contributions to literature and her fearless exploration of challenging themes. Her career, marked by numerous accolades and occasional controversies, reflects her unwavering commitment to truth and artistic integrity.
