Sir Max Beerbohm

Born in London in 1872, Sir Max Beerbohm was an English essayist, parodist, and caricaturist who first made his name in the 1890s as a dandy and humorist. He studied at Charterhouse and Merton College, Oxford, and became associated with The Yellow Book before succeeding George Bernard Shaw as drama critic for The Saturday Review.

Alongside his criticism, he built a lasting reputation for polished prose, affectionate parody, and brilliantly observant caricatures. His best-known books include The Works of Max Beerbohm, Zuleika Dobson, and Seven Men, and his writing is still admired for sounding light and effortless while being carefully crafted.

In 1910 he moved to Rapallo, Italy, where he spent much of the rest of his life, later becoming known to wider audiences through occasional radio broadcasts. He died in 1956, leaving behind a body of work that captures literary and social life with unusual grace, irony, and charm.