William Alexander Gerhardie

Raised in St Petersburg and educated in Russian schools, he moved to London before serving with the Royal Scots Greys during the First World War. His knowledge of Russia then took him east again, and those experiences later fed directly into his first novel, Futility (1922), a book often noted for its sharp comedy and clear-eyed view of chaos.

He went on to write novels, criticism, and plays, building a reputation as a gifted and original voice in British literature. Though his fame faded for a time, admirers continued to champion his work, and he is still remembered for blending wit, sadness, and political upheaval in a way that feels both intimate and surprisingly modern.

William Alexander Gerhardie was born on 21 November 1895 and died on 15 July 1977. He was appointed OBE and was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature, marks of the regard he earned across a long literary life.