Edward St. John Gorey, a renowned American writer and illustrator, captivated the gothic subculture with his unconventional dark humor and exquisite illustrations. His works, often set in the Victorian and Edwardian era, showcased his unique designs and ideas. With over 100 independent publications and illustrations for more than 50 works by notable authors, such as Samuel Beckett and Charles Dickens, Gorey left an indelible mark on the literary world. Known for his love of anagrams, he frequently published under pseudonyms that were clever rearrangements of his own name. In addition to his literary pursuits, Gorey also ventured into theater, directing productions like the Broadway adaptation of ‘Dracula’. His beloved Cape Cod residence, known as the ‘Elephant House’, now serves as the Edward Gorey House Museum. Despite never marrying or having a family, Gorey’s compassionate nature led him to leave the majority of his estate to a charitable trust benefiting various species, including cats, dogs, bats, and insects.
Quick Facts
- Nick Name: Ogdred Weary
- Also Known As: Edward St. John Gorey
- Died At Age: 75
- Family:
- Father: Edward Lee Gorey
- Mother: Helen Dunham
- Born Country: United States
- Died on: April 15, 2000
- Place of Death: Barnstable, Massachusetts, United States
- City: Chicago, Illinois
- Notable Alumni: The Art Institute Of Chicago
- U.S. State: Illinois
- Education: Harvard University (1946–1950), School of the Art Institute of Chicago (1943–1943), Francis W. Parker School
- Awards:
- 1978 – Tony Award for Best Costume Design
- 1989 – World Fantasy Award for Best Artist
Childhood & Early Life
Edward Gorey was born in Chicago to Helen and Edward Gorey. His parents divorced when he was 11, and his father went on to marry multiple times, including cabaret singer Corinna Mura. Gorey attended various local grade schools before enrolling in the Francis W. Parker School. After finishing school, he served in the army in Utah from 1944 to 1946. He then attended Harvard University, where he studied French. During his time at Harvard, Gorey co-founded the Poets’ Theatre in Cambridge with fellow alumni such as Alison Lurie, John Ashbery, Donald Hall, and poet Frank O’Hara. The group received support from faculty members John Ciardi and Thornton Wilder.
Career
In 1953, Gorey moved to New York and began working as an illustrator for the book-publishing company Doubleday Anchor. He worked there for eight years while also publishing his first independent work, “The Unstrung Harp.” At Doubleday Anchor, Gorey illustrated a variety of works, including Bram Stoker’s “Dracula,” H.G. Wells’ “The War of the Worlds,” and T.S. Eliot’s “Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats.” His subsequent works, such as “The Doubtful Guest,” “The Hapless Child,” and “The Gashlycrumb Tinies,” gained him local popularity. Gorey’s book illustrations during this time included works by Edward Lear, H.G. Wells, T.S. Eliot, Samuel Beckett, John Updike, Charles Dickens, Lewis Carroll, and Virginia Woolf. His gothic style writing and illustrations, dark humor, and Victorian settings earned him a cult following.
Gorey released anthologies such as “Amphigorey” and “Amphigorey Too,” which inspired the 1978 musical stage adaptation “Gorey Stories.” He also designed costumes for the 1977 Broadway production of “Dracula,” for which he won a Tony Award. In 1980, Gorey introduced animation to PBS’ series “Mystery!” He also wrote and directed theater productions featuring his papier-mâché puppets, known as Le Theatricule Stoique.
Major Works
Gorey is known for his various writings and illustrations, including “The Unstrung Harp,” “The Curious Sofa,” “The Iron Tonic: Or, A Winter Afternoon in Lonely Valley,” and “The Dwindling Party.”
Personal Life & Legacy
Gorey never married and did not publicly discuss his romantic relationships. He denied being gay or straight. He passed away on April 15, 2000, at Cape Cod Hospital in Hyannis, Massachusetts.
Gorey was a recluse and had a love for ballet, fur coats, tennis shoes, and cats. He served as a judge at Yarmouth art shows and was involved with the local cable station. His Cape Cod house, known as “Elephant House,” is now the Edward Gorey House Museum. He left a significant portion of his estate to a charitable trust benefiting animals, including cats, dogs, bats, and insects.
Gorey wrote an unproduced screenplay for a silent film titled “The Black Doll.” His favorite writers included Jane Austen, Agatha Christie, Francis Bacon, and George Balanchine. He also had favorite television programs such as “Petticoat Junction,” “Cheers,” and “The X-Files.” Gorey wrote movie reviews under the pseudonym “Wardore Edgy” and often used anagrams of his own name as pseudonyms for his books. Gorey merchandise, such as stuffed dolls, cups, stickers, and posters, is popular in malls across the United States. Although his books were popular with children, Gorey did not have much interaction with them and was not particularly fond of them.