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Stephen Spender was born in Kensington, London, in 1909.
Answer: True
Stephen Spender's birth occurred on February 28, 1909, in Kensington, London, England.
Stephen Spender died in 1995 at the age of 86.
Answer: True
Stephen Spender's demise took place on July 16, 1995, at the age of 86.
Stephen Spender matriculated at University College, Oxford, but ultimately departed without completing a formal degree.
Answer: True
Stephen Spender pursued his studies at University College, Oxford, but did not complete a degree.
Stephen Spender's paternal lineage included Harold Spender, a journalist, while his maternal heritage comprised Violet Hilda Schuster, who was both a painter and a poet of German Jewish descent.
Answer: True
Stephen Spender's father was Harold Spender, a journalist, and his mother was Violet Hilda Schuster, a painter and poet of German Jewish heritage.
W. H. Auden stood as Stephen Spender's closest confidant during their tenure at Oxford, exerting a profound influence on his intellectual and artistic development.
Answer: True
W. H. Auden was Stephen Spender's closest friend at Oxford and significantly influenced his work.
Stephen Spender was initially graded C for military service during World War II due to health issues including colitis, poor eyesight, and varicose veins.
Answer: False
Stephen Spender received a Grade C classification for military service during World War II due to health conditions, not an 'A' grade for excellent health.
Stephen Spender matriculated at Oxford but did not complete a degree.
Answer: False
Stephen Spender attended University College, Oxford, but did not complete a degree.
When and where was Stephen Spender born?
Answer: Kensington, London, England, 1909
Stephen Spender was born on February 28, 1909, in Kensington, London, England.
At what age and in what year did Stephen Spender pass away?
Answer: 86 in 1995
Stephen Spender died on July 16, 1995, at the age of 86.
What is accurate regarding Stephen Spender's academic experience at Oxford University?
Answer: He attended University College but left without completing a degree.
Stephen Spender matriculated at University College, Oxford, but ultimately departed without completing a formal degree.
What were the professions of Stephen Spender's parents?
Answer: Father: Journalist; Mother: Painter and poet
Stephen Spender's father was Harold Spender, a journalist, and his mother was Violet Hilda Schuster, a painter and poet of German Jewish heritage.
Who was Stephen Spender's closest friend at Oxford, and what was their relationship like?
Answer: W. H. Auden, who was his closest friend and major influence.
W. H. Auden stood as Stephen Spender's closest confidant during their tenure at Oxford, exerting a profound influence on his intellectual and artistic development.
Due to health issues, Stephen Spender was initially deemed unfit for active combat in WWII. What role did he eventually undertake?
Answer: London Auxiliary Fire Service.
Spender initially received a Grade C classification for military service due to health conditions. He later achieved a Grade B classification, permitting his service in the London Auxiliary Fire Service.
What significant action did Stephen Spender take regarding W. H. Auden's early work?
Answer: He handprinted the earliest version of Auden's collection 'Poems'.
W. H. Auden was Stephen Spender's closest friend and exerted a significant influence on his work. Spender's early engagement included handprinting the initial version of Auden's collection 'Poems.'
Stephen Spender was primarily recognized for his contributions as a poet, novelist, and essayist, with a significant body of work addressing themes of social injustice and class struggle.
Answer: True
Stephen Spender's literary output predominantly engaged with themes of social injustice and the class struggle, establishing him as a notable poet, novelist, and essayist.
Published in 1988, 'The Temple' is a novel by Stephen Spender that is partly autobiographical, delving into the experiences of a young man in Germany. It vividly portrays the atmosphere of the Weimar Republic, capturing a society that was both liberal and nascently susceptible to Nazism.
Answer: True
Stephen Spender's novel 'The Temple,' published in 1988, is partly autobiographical and explores experiences in Germany during the Weimar Republic.
In 1933, T. S. Eliot, then an editor at Faber and Faber, recognized and championed Stephen Spender's literary contributions, marking a pivotal moment in Spender's burgeoning career.
Answer: True
T. S. Eliot discovered Stephen Spender's work in 1933 while serving as an editor for Faber and Faber.
Spender's early poetry, notably his 1933 collection 'Poems,' frequently drew inspiration from themes of social protest, aligning with the prevalent concerns of his generation regarding societal inequities.
Answer: True
Social protest was a significant theme in Stephen Spender's early poetry, including his 1933 collection 'Poems'.
Stephen Spender's autobiography, 'World Within World,' published in 1951, functions as a comprehensive reconstruction of the political and social atmosphere prevalent during the 1930s.
Answer: True
Stephen Spender's autobiography, 'World Within World', published in 1951, focuses on recreating the political and social atmosphere of the 1930s.
Stephen Spender's early poetic output, exemplified by the 1933 collection 'Poems,' was predominantly centered on abstract philosophical concepts.
Answer: False
Contrary to the assertion, Stephen Spender's early poetry, such as in his 1933 collection 'Poems,' was primarily focused on social protest and societal issues, not abstract philosophical concepts.
Ernest Hemingway declined to participate in a reading alongside Stephen Spender at the Shakespeare and Company bookstore in Paris.
Answer: False
Contrary to the assertion, Ernest Hemingway, despite his general aversion to public readings, agreed to read alongside Stephen Spender at the Shakespeare and Company bookstore in Paris, an event underscoring Spender's recognized literary stature.
Stephen Spender's 1938 verse drama, titled 'Trial of a Judge,' is characterized as an antifascist work.
Answer: False
Stephen Spender's verse drama 'Trial of a Judge', published in 1938, was an antifascist work, not a lighthearted romantic comedy.
What was Stephen Spender's primary occupation and the main focus of his literary endeavors?
Answer: A poet, novelist, and essayist focusing on social injustice and class struggle.
Stephen Spender was primarily recognized for his contributions as a poet, novelist, and essayist, with a significant body of work addressing themes of social injustice and class struggle.
What is 'The Temple' by Stephen Spender, published in 1988?
Answer: A partly autobiographical novel about experiences in Germany and the Weimar Republic.
Published in 1988, 'The Temple' is a novel by Stephen Spender that is partly autobiographical, delving into the experiences of a young man in Germany. It vividly portrays the atmosphere of the Weimar Republic.
Which editor discovered Stephen Spender's work, and for which publishing house did this editor work?
Answer: T. S. Eliot, for Faber and Faber
In 1933, T. S. Eliot, then an editor at Faber and Faber, recognized and championed Stephen Spender's literary contributions.
What was a primary theme in Stephen Spender's early poetry collections, such as 'Poems' (1933)?
Answer: Social protest and societal issues.
Spender's early poetic output, notably his 1933 collection 'Poems,' frequently drew inspiration from themes of social protest, aligning with the prevalent concerns of his generation regarding societal inequities.
What is the primary focus of Stephen Spender's autobiography, 'World Within World'?
Answer: The political and social atmosphere of the 1930s.
Stephen Spender's autobiography, 'World Within World,' published in 1951, functions as a comprehensive reconstruction of the political and social atmosphere prevalent during the 1930s.
The 1933 poetry collection 'Poems' by Stephen Spender is noted for being inspired by:
Answer: Social protest and class struggle.
Spender's early poetic output, notably his 1933 collection 'Poems,' frequently drew inspiration from themes of social protest and class struggle.
What was the nature of Stephen Spender's verse drama 'Trial of a Judge', published in 1938?
Answer: An antifascist work.
Stephen Spender's 1938 verse drama, titled 'Trial of a Judge,' is characterized as an antifascist work.
In 1936, Spender became affiliated with the Communist Party of Great Britain. He was subsequently commissioned by the party leader, Harry Pollitt, to contribute articles on the Moscow Trials to the 'Daily Worker' newspaper.
Answer: True
Stephen Spender joined the Communist Party of Great Britain in 1936 and wrote about the Moscow Trials for the Daily Worker newspaper.
In January 1937, Spender journeyed to Spain with the dual purpose of reporting on the sinking of the Soviet vessel Komsomol and attempting the rescue of his former paramour, Tony Hyndman. This expedition precipitated complications, including his eventual withdrawal from the Communist Party following the disclosure of his relationship with Hyndman.
Answer: True
In 1937, Stephen Spender traveled to Spain to report on the sinking of the Soviet ship Komsomol and attempt to rescue his former lover, Tony Hyndman.
Stephen Spender occupied the editorial chair for the journal 'Encounter' from 1953 to 1966.
Answer: True
Stephen Spender served as editor of the magazine 'Encounter' from 1953 to 1966.
Stephen Spender was a founding member of the Homosexual Law Reform Society, an organization dedicated to advocating for the decriminalization of homosexual acts in Britain.
Answer: True
Stephen Spender was a founding member of the Homosexual Law Reform Society.
Stephen Spender was a co-founder of the journal 'Horizon,' alongside Cyril Connolly and Peter Watson.
Answer: False
Stephen Spender co-founded the magazine 'Horizon' with Cyril Connolly and Peter Watson, not alone.
Stephen Spender resigned his editorship of 'Encounter' due to a disagreement with the publication's political orientation.
Answer: False
Stephen Spender resigned as editor of 'Encounter' after discovering its covert funding by the CIA, not solely due to a disagreement with its political stance.
What was the primary purpose of Stephen Spender's trip to Spain in January 1937?
Answer: To report on the sinking of the Soviet ship Komsomol and attempt a rescue.
In January 1937, Spender journeyed to Spain with the dual purpose of reporting on the sinking of the Soviet vessel Komsomol and attempting the rescue of his former paramour, Tony Hyndman.
Why did Stephen Spender resign as editor of Encounter magazine?
Answer: He discovered the publication was covertly funded by the CIA.
Stephen Spender resigned as editor of 'Encounter' magazine in 1966 upon the revelation of the publication's covert funding by the CIA, asserting his prior ignorance of its financial origins.
What was Stephen Spender's role concerning homosexual law reform in Britain?
Answer: He was a founding member of the Homosexual Law Reform Society.
Stephen Spender was a founding member of the Homosexual Law Reform Society, an organization dedicated to advocating for the decriminalization of homosexual acts in Britain.
In which work did Stephen Spender articulate his disillusionment with communism?
Answer: 'The God that Failed'.
Spender articulated his disillusionment with communism within the essay collection 'The God that Failed,' published in 1949.
Who co-founded the magazine 'Horizon' with Stephen Spender?
Answer: Peter Watson and Cyril Connolly.
Stephen Spender was a co-founder of the journal 'Horizon,' alongside Cyril Connolly and Peter Watson.
Stephen Spender contracted two marriages: the first to Inez Pearn, and the second to Natasha Litvin, who remained his spouse until his passing.
Answer: True
Stephen Spender was married twice, first to Inez Pearn and subsequently to Natasha Litvin, who was his wife until his death.
Stephen Spender's sexuality has been characterized by straightforwardness, encompassing exclusively documented heterosexual relationships.
Answer: False
Spender's sexuality was complex; his diaries suggest continued homosexual activity even after marriage, contradicting the notion of exclusively heterosexual relationships.
Stephen Spender initiated legal proceedings against author David Leavitt for the depiction of his personal life in the novel 'Brideshead Revisited'.
Answer: False
The legal action taken by Stephen Spender against David Leavitt in 1994 pertained to the novel 'While England Sleeps,' not 'Brideshead Revisited.' The lawsuit, concerning the alleged appropriation of biographical details, was settled out of court.
Stephen Spender was the father of only one child, named Elizabeth.
Answer: False
Stephen Spender had two children: Elizabeth Spender and Matthew Spender.
How many times was Stephen Spender married, and to whom?
Answer: Twice: first to Inez Pearn (1936-1939) and then to Natasha Litvin (1941-death).
Stephen Spender contracted two marriages: the first with Inez Pearn (1936-1939), followed by a union with Natasha Litvin, which endured from 1941 until his passing.
Which statement best reflects the complexities surrounding Stephen Spender's sexuality as described in the source?
Answer: His diaries suggest continued homosexual activity even after marriage.
Spender's sexuality has been a subject of considerable scholarly discussion and interpretation. While he entered into marriages with women, his unexpurgated diaries indicate continued homosexual activity post-nuptials.
Why did Stephen Spender take legal action against author David Leavitt in 1994?
Answer: For depicting his relationship with Tony Hyndman in the novel 'While England Sleeps'.
In 1994, Stephen Spender initiated legal action against author David Leavitt, alleging the unauthorized use of biographical details concerning Spender's relationship with Tony Hyndman in Leavitt's novel 'While England Sleeps.' The matter was resolved via an out-of-court settlement.
Who were Stephen Spender's children?
Answer: Elizabeth and Matthew Spender.
Stephen Spender was the father of two children: Elizabeth Spender and Matthew Spender.
Stephen Spender was honored as a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 1962, and subsequently received a knighthood in the 1983 Queen's Birthday Honours, acknowledging his substantial contributions to literature and public service.
Answer: True
Stephen Spender was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 1962 and was knighted in 1983.
Henry Moore produced etchings and lithographs that complemented Stephen Spender's literary creations.
Answer: True
Henry Moore created etchings and lithographs to accompany Stephen Spender's literary work.
In 1995, Stephen Spender received the Golden PEN Award, an honor bestowed in recognition of his lifelong, distinguished contributions to the field of literature.
Answer: True
Stephen Spender received the Golden PEN Award in 1995 for his lifetime of distinguished service to literature.
Stephen Spender was appointed the U.S. Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry to the Library of Congress in 1975.
Answer: False
Stephen Spender was appointed U.S. Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry to the Library of Congress in 1965, not 1975.
During a ceremony commemorating the 40th anniversary of the Normandy Invasion in 1984, President Ronald Reagan invoked Stephen Spender's poem 'The Truly Great,' a tribute to the soldiers' sacrifices.
Answer: False
U.S. President Ronald Reagan quoted Stephen Spender's poem 'The Truly Great' during a ceremony in 1984, not 'The Waste Land'.
What prestigious role did Stephen Spender hold in the United States literary world in 1965?
Answer: Consultant in Poetry to the Library of Congress (U.S. Poet Laureate equivalent).
In 1965, Stephen Spender assumed the distinguished role of the 17th U.S. Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry at the Library of Congress, a significant position within the American literary landscape.
Which honors did Stephen Spender receive from the British Crown?
Answer: CBE in 1962 and Knighthood in 1983.
Stephen Spender was honored as a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 1962, and subsequently received a knighthood in the 1983 Queen's Birthday Honours.
How did U.S. President Ronald Reagan publicly acknowledge Stephen Spender's work?
Answer: By quoting his poem 'The Truly Great' at a D-Day anniversary ceremony.
During a ceremony marking the 40th anniversary of the Normandy Invasion in 1984, President Ronald Reagan invoked Stephen Spender's poem 'The Truly Great,' a tribute to the soldiers' sacrifices.
Which artist created etchings and lithographs to accompany Stephen Spender's work?
Answer: Henry Moore
Henry Moore produced etchings and lithographs that complemented Stephen Spender's literary creations.
What is the primary mission of the Stephen Spender Trust?
Answer: To increase awareness of 20th-century literature and promote literary translation.
The Stephen Spender Trust operates as a registered charity, dedicated to enhancing the appreciation of 20th-century literature, with a specific focus on Spender's literary milieu, and to fostering literary translation through various initiatives and awards.
For what achievement was Stephen Spender awarded the Golden PEN Award in 1995?
Answer: For his lifetime of distinguished service to literature.
In 1995, Stephen Spender received the Golden PEN Award, an honor bestowed in recognition of his lifelong, distinguished contributions to the field of literature.
What was the nature of the collaboration between Stephen Spender and David Hockney?
Answer: They collaborated on 'China Diary', featuring Hockney's illustrations and Spender's writings.
Stephen Spender collaborated with David Hockney on 'China Diary,' a volume published in 1982 by Thames and Hudson, which integrated Hockney's visual artistry with Spender's textual contributions.