You probably don’t need this; you’ve sought out a site devoted to Denton Welch. But if you’re just discovering him and you’re not familiar with his life, read this quick, go and read some Denton!, then please do come back and share your thoughts.
Maurice Denton Welch was born on 29 March 1915 in Shanghai. His American mother, née Rosalind Bassett, was a devout Christian Scientist, whose belief that prayer trumped medicine almost certainly led to her early death. His British father was a wealthy member of the business community. Denton’s early years were spent travelling with his mother, who remained a significant influence and presence in his creative output, despite her death from nephritis when Denton was eleven years old.
The only socially acceptable education for Denton was in England, which separated him from his family. He attended a day school in England at the age of nine, commencing his hated boarding school education aged eleven. Having been a free spirit for considerably longer than most other children, he chafed against authority and struggled to fit in. Some of his school experiences are vividly documented in short stories and in Maiden Voyage, his first novel.
Aged 16, Denton ran away from school and subsequently spent a year in China with his father and older brother whilst the family decided what to do about his future. In April 1933, Denton enrolled in Goldsmiths college to study art. For the first time since he was separated from his mother, he felt settled and happy. Sadly, this was not to last long; the defining event of Denton’s life and career occurred on 9 June 1935. He was knocked from his bicycle by a careless driver, resulting in severe injuries that left him a semi-invalid for the rest of his life and were the cause of his death 13 years later.
Unable to return to his studies, Denton settled in the Kent countryside with his devoted housekeeper, Evelyn (Evie) Sinclair. Although he initially aspired to a career as a painter, his writing drew attention from contemporary literary luminaries, most notably Edith Sitwell. With her support and sponsorship, Denton’s first novel, Maiden Voyage, was published in 1943. That same year, his friend Francis Streeten introduced Denton to Eric Oliver, the love of his life. Initially tumultuous, their relationship endured and they were inseparable for the last four years of Denton’s life. Denton died aged 33, with Eric watching protectively over him, on 30 December 1948.
Denton’s literary legacy is autobiographical (albeit often considerably embellished!). Most of his work can still be found in print, or second hand. The majority of his surviving art is held by the Harry Ransom Center in the University of Texas (which owns Denton’s copyright) and in private collections. However, a self portrait hangs in the National Portrait Gallery and his oil painting “Harvest” hangs in the Tate, both in London, UK.