Henry Miller

1891 - 1980
American
Writer
Henry Miller (1891–1980) was an American writer known for his novels, essays, and personal memoirs. He is often associated with the Beat Generation and the Surrealist movement, though he was older than many of its key figures. His most famous work is *Tropic of Cancer*, published in 1934, which is a semi-autobiographical novel that has been banned in several countries for its explicit content. Miller's writing style is known for its raw, unflinching honesty and his exploration of taboo topics such as sexuality, religion, and societal norms. He also wrote *The Time of the Sun* (1936) and *The Story of the Eye* (1939), among other works. His influence extends to modern literature, with many authors citing him as a major inspiration.

Life & Work Timeline

Follow the journey of Henry Miller through time, including major life events and published works.

1891
  • Henry Miller was born on December 26th in his birthplace at 450 East 85th Street, Manhattan, New York City, to Heinrich and Louise Marie Neiting Miller.

1900
  • The Miller family relocated to their new home at 1063 Decatur Street in Bushwick, Brooklyn, where Henry would spend his childhood years.

1917
  • Henry Miller married Beatrice Sylvas Wickens on June 7th, and the couple began their life together in New York City.

1919
  • Barbara Miller, Henry's first child, was born to him and his wife Beatrice in that same year.

1920
  • Henry Miller worked as a personnel manager in the messenger department of Western Union from 1920 to 1924, honing his skills in administration before devoting himself full-time to writing.

1923
  • The divorce between Henry and Beatrice was finalized on December 21st, marking a significant turning point in Miller's personal life as he began to focus more intently on his writing career.

1924
  • Henry left his job at Western Union to devote himself fully to writing, embarking on a path that would lead him to become one of the most influential writers of the 20th century.

1927
  • June and Kronski left Miller behind, moving to Paris; Kronski returned to New York several months later.

  • Allan Philip was born as a professor at the University of Copenhagen, who nominated Miller for the Nobel Prize in Literature.

1928
  • Spent several months in Paris with June, financed by Freedman

1930
  • Kronski committed suicide around this time.

1934
  • Henry Miller's first published book, Tropic of Cancer, was published by Obelisk Press in Paris.

  • Tropic of Cancer

1935
  • Aller Retour New York

    Original: Aller retour New York

1936
  • Miller's novel Black Spring was published, marking another milestone in his literary career.

  • What Are You Going To Do About Alf?

    Original: What are you going to do about Alf?

1938
  • The short prose piece 'Max and the White Phagocytes' by Miller was originally published, showcasing his early writing style.

  • Max and the White Phagocytes

    Original: Max and the white phagocytes

  • Money and How It Gets That Way

    Original: Money and how it gets that way

1939
  • Miller's book Tropic of Capricorn was smuggled into the United States, building an underground reputation for himself as a writer despite being banned in his native country.

  • Tropic of Capricorn

    Original: The Cosmological Eye

  • Hamlet

1940
  • George Orwell wrote his essay 'Inside the Whale', giving Miller his first major literary acknowledgment and recognition.

1941
  • Miller's novel The Colossus of Maroussi was published, solidifying his position as a prominent writer in the literary world.

  • The Colossus of Maroussi

  • The Wisdom of the Heart

    Original: The wisdom of the heart

1942
  • Wisdom of the Heart

1944
  • Met and married his third wife, Janina Martha Lepska in New York City, USA. The marriage was a significant event in Miller's life, marking the beginning of a new chapter with someone who would become a part of his personal and professional circle. However, the union ultimately ended in divorce just eight years later. Janina Martha Lepska was an important figure in Miller's life, serving as both his wife and muse for much of his writing career.

  • Sunday After the War

1945
  • Obscenity and the Law of Reflection

    Original: Obscenity and the law of reflection

  • Luminous Tube Lighting

    Original: Luminous tube lighting

1946
  • Maurizius Forever

    Original: Maurizius forever

1947
  • Remember to Remember

1949
  • Sexus

1950
  • The Waters Reglitterized

    Original: The waters reglitterized

1952
  • Divorced his third wife, Janina Martha Lepska, ending a marriage that had lasted only eight years. The divorce marked the end of an era in Miller's personal life, leaving him to navigate new relationships and creative pursuits.

1953
  • Married artist Eve McClure, beginning a romantic partnership that would last for several years. Eve McClure was a talented artist who would inspire many of Miller's works, including the Rosy Crucifixion trilogy.

  • Plexus

1956
  • Quiet Days in Clichy

  • A Devil in Paradise

    Original: A devil in paradise

  • Devil in Paradise

  • My Friend Henry Miller

1958
  • Big Sur and the Oranges of Hieronymus Bosch

    Original: Big Sur and the oranges of Hieronymus Bosch

1959
  • The Henry Miller Reader was published, showcasing Miller's literary works and sparking renewed interest in his writing.

  • The Henry Miller Reader

1960
  • Divorced his fourth wife, Eve McClure, after a relationship that had spanned over seven years. The split marked a significant turning point in Miller's personal life, as he began to explore new relationships and creative avenues.

1961
  • Arranged a reunion with his ex-wife June in New York City, marking the beginning of a complicated and tumultuous relationship that would continue for years to come. The meeting was significant because it brought together two people who had been deeply connected through Miller's writing.

  • Miller's novel Tropic of Cancer was published in the United States, leading to a series of obscenity trials and legal battles over its content.

1962
  • The Rosy Crucifixion

    Original: The rosy crucifixion

1963
  • Fifty Short Science Fiction Tales

    Original: Fifty short science fiction tales

  • Just Wild About Harry

    Original: Just wild about Harry

1964
  • The decision in Grove Press, Inc., v. Gerstein overturned state court findings on obscenity, paving the way for the publication of other banned books by Grove Press.

  • Miller's other banned books were published by Grove Press between 1964 and 1965, further solidifying his reputation as a provocative writer.

  • Henry Miller on Writing

    Original: Henry Miller on writing

1965
  • Letters to Anaïs Nin

  • Selected Prose

    Original: Selected prose

1966
  • Eve McClure died likely due to alcoholism, leaving Miller to grapple with the loss of a partner and creative collaborator. The event marked a turning point in Miller's personal life, as he began to navigate new relationships and find solace in his writing.

  • Order and Chaos chez Hans Reichel

    Original: Order and chaos chez Hans Reichel

1967
  • Married his fifth wife, Japanese-born singer Hoki Tokuda, beginning a new chapter in his life. Hoki Tokuda was an important figure in Miller's life, serving as both his wife and muse for many years to come.

  • Nexus

1968
  • Signed the 'Writers and Editors War Tax Protest' pledge, demonstrating his commitment to social justice and activism. The event marked a significant moment in Miller's life, as he began to use his platform to speak out against consumerism and promote change.

1971
  • Basic Engineering Craft Studies

  • My Life and Times

    Original: My life and times

1972
  • On Turning Eighty

    Original: On turning eighty

  • Reflections on the Death of Mishima

    Original: Reflections on the death of Mishima

1973
  • First Impressions of Greece

    Original: First impressions of Greece

  • The United States in Literature - The Glass Menagerie Edition

    Original: The United States in Literature -- The Glass Menagerie Edition

1974
  • Before the Golden Age

1976
  • Book of Friends

    Original: Book of friends

1977
  • Sextet

1978
  • My Bike and Other Friends

    Original: My Bike And Other Friends

1979
  • Henry Miller

  • Joey

1980
  • The World of Lawrence

    Original: The world of Lawrence