Lawrence Durrell, 1968 (photo)

Lawrence Durrell ( 1912 – 1990) British novelist, poet, dramatist, and travel writer. Came to fame with the novel Justine (1957), the first volume of the highly regarded Alexandrian Quartet, which depicts political and sexual intrigue in Egypt just before World War II. Written in an ornate, high=-flown and sensual style, it was particularly highly regarded abroad. His Avignon Quintet (1992) was less successful. His best known travel writing consists of three 'island' books which describe the Greek islands of Rhodes, Corfu and Cypress. His Selected Poems edited by Peter Porter was published in 2006.