Dictionary of Scientific Biography, Vol. 17 Book

The definitive Coward biography—as it likes to proclaim on the cover. Cecil Beaton cover photo, homage to Proust and Saki on page 41; Noel Coward’s spiritual companions are clear. Oscar Wilde too of course but one only talked about that whole mess quietly in private. Wilde was always the example of what not to do. So Coward did everything in plain view yet remained hidden. How did he manage that feat? Everyone helped him do it, you see, there was so much that one never talked about, never mentioned, and if it was never declared out loud it never became important. Everyone knew of course but somehow it was never really true—such is the power of discretion. The unspoken didn't matter so much.

Books like these I enjoy revisiting through perusing the index. A fantastic life, a very readable biography with three sections of photos. Noel Coward in Las Vegas! Coward entertaining the troops in Australia! Knighted at Buckingham Palace!