The Memoirs of Arthur Symons

This book is the literary and private biography of the man Yeats called "the most important critic of his generation." Arthur Symons's Memoirs combine material never before published with essays reprinted from scattered sources, arranged according to a plan that Symons outlined to his literary agent but that has remained unrealized until now. Author of The Symbolist Movement in Literature and founding editor of The Savoy, Symons reveals here his critical and personal impressions of the greatest artists and writers of his time as well as the leading theatrical personalities. Revealed also are the experiences of an 1890's man-about-London, including his love affairs with music hall girls. The potentially libelous nature of Symons' amorous confessions prevented publication of a large part of his Memoirs during his lifetime. They are now published in this volume.

Following an informative introduction by Professor Beckson, the Memoirs begin with "A Prelude to Life," Symons' account of his early development and the start of his literary career in the 1880's. The Memoirs end with a harrowing account of Symons's mental breakdown in Italy in 1908. The entire text is annotated by the editor. Although Symons survived until 1945, he recognized—in planning his Memoirs—that his major achievement lay in guiding the student of literature and art through the transitional period between the Victorian and the modern world.