Henry Miller

Henry Miller – Turbulent childhood and youth; first writing ambitions

Henry Miller was born in New York on 26 December 1891 to German Catholic parents and so grew up in an environment shaped by German emigrants. From an unstable childhood and youth, he broke off his studies as he did not wish to be forced to read classical literature such as Fairie Queene by Edmund Spenser, and instead roamed the United States in pursuit of his romantic dream of becoming a cowboy. Illness, however, forced his return to New York where he worked casual jobs to pay the bills, and it was whilst working in his father’s dressmaking shop that he developed a penchant for fine fabrics and suits, one he retained throughout his life. His first marriage saved him from being signed up to military service, but his wife was not understanding of his writing ambitions and his constant career changes. Even the birth of his daughter Barbara could not save a relationship burdened by conflicting expectations. 

First attempts at writing; encounter with Anaïs Nin

Henry Miller won himself a position with the Western Union Telegraphy Company in New York in 1920, a formative role which acquainted him with the severity of everyday capitalist business life, processing his experiences in his second great autobiographical novel, Tropic of Capricorn published in 1939 in Paris. Miller’s boss advised him to write a book in the style of Horatio Alger and permitted him extra holiday for the project. Within three weeks he had written Clipped Wings, which Miller himself considered a literary failure, but which consolidated his ambitions as a writer. He was encouraged by his second wife June to resign from his job and dedicate himself completely to writing, supporting him financially from money she earned as a dancer. June also paid for his stay of several months in Paris where Miller became acquainted with the bohemian lifestyle and was offered a position as proofreader at the French edition of the Chicago Tribune through his friend Alfred Perlès. He also met Anaïs Nin in Paris, who enjoyed a passionate liaison with both him and June and become Miller’s most important muse. 

Ongoing provocations and prohibitions; last years as a painter

Henry Miller lived as he wrote, crossing without compromise all social boundaries and recognising no taboos. This brought much attention and ultimately prohibition of his books in the USA and Great Britain and in some cases also in the usually liberal country of France. Financial success was thus barely forthcoming, and Henry Miller spent his last years almost penniless and alone in California. There he dedicated himself to his early interest of painting, having already undertaken a trip through the southern USA in 1940 with the Expressionist painter Abraham Rattner and also making the acquaintance of Fernand Léger and Marino Marini. Miller did not consider himself a serious artist in the field of painting – he had never received any professional training - but attached great importance to the fine arts. In fact, he was able to present his pictures at several exhibitions and sell them successfully. Alongside a large number of watercolours, he also produced several etchings. 

Henry Miller died on 7 June 1980 in Los Angeles.